TFP BLOG: Your thoughts on why we aren't liked

Friday, September 19, 2008

Your thoughts on why we aren't liked

Fifty (50%) of you voted that the cause of the public's perception that lawyers act with less than the utmost integrity is changes in the practice of law that are increasingly modelling corporate practice.

So, essentially you are saying that the public is right (the public, indeed in never wrong) and it is not mere perception; things have actually changed and it is only natural that attitudes would change too (unfortunately for the worse).

Well, let's hope that those changing practices do not lead to a meltdown in the legal world akin to what is going on in the financial world, because the chances for the government bailing us out would be even less likely . . . .

1 comment:

Unknown said...: Interesting discussion!; September 19, 2008 at 5:00 PM

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NYCLA DRAFT DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONALISM

By professionalism we mean a group pursuing a learned art as a higher calling in a spirit that it is performing a public service, a service that is indispensible in a democratic nation founded on the rule of law. This calling is no less a public service because it may also be a means of livelihood. Pursuit of a learned art in the spirit of a public service is the essence of being a lawyer. It implies obligations of dignity, integrity, self-respect and respect for others.

The essence of professionalism is a commitment to develop one's skills to the fullest and to apply them responsibly and with the utmost diligence to the problem at hand. Professionalism requires adherence to the highest standards of integrity and a willingness to subordinate narrow self-interest in pursuit of the more fundamental goal of client service. Because of the tremendous power they wield in our system, lawyers must never forget that their duty to serve their clients fairly and skillfully takes priority over the personal accumulation of wealth. Lawyers must be willing and prepared to undertake zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients while retaining enough perspective to provide those clients with considered, well-informed and objective advice.

Although duties to their clients in particular matters are paramount, lawyers must throughout their careers remain conscious of and committed to the goal of improving the profession and the system of justice. This commitment includes taking personal and professional measures to increase the availability of legal services and abet even-handed and efficient application and administration of the legal system for all segments of society.