Perseptions of Lawyers

Perceptions of the Legal Profession

Heather Conley

Law & Society (LS308)

March 22, 2011

Professor Urban Cleaves

Perceptions of the Legal Profession

Here is the oath taken by all lawyers. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm):I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of ; I will maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers; I will not counsel or maintain any suit or proceeding which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor any defense except such as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law of the land; I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law; I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my client, and will accept no compensation in connection with my client's business except with my client's knowledge and approval; I will abstain from all offensive personality, and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am charged; I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay any cause for lucre or malice; I will in all other respects conduct myself personally and professionally in conformity with the high standards of conduct imposed upon members of the bar as conditions for the privilege to practice law in this State.” (Unknown Author, 2003). This is the oath taken by all lawyers.

Lawyers play a vital role in the preservation of society. A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice. As a representative of clients, a lawyer performs various functions. As an advisor, a lawyer provides a...