NCJ Number
59867
Editor(s)
P A KEENAN,
S C GOLDBERG,
G G DICK
Date Published
1979
Length
1351 pages
Annotation
THE PROCEEDINGS AND CONTRIBUTED MATERIALS FROM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY PRESENT VARYING PERSPECTIVES ON LAWYERS' ETHICAL CONDUCT.
Abstract
BECAUSE A HIGHER QUALITY OF JUSTICE AND A MORE ETHICAL PRACTICE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION SHOULD RESULT FROM THE PRESENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES TO LAW STUDENTS, THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE SET FORTH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE TEACHING OF IMPROVED PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. A WELL-DESIGNED AND CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT COURSE IN PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY MUST BE REQUIRED BY EVERY LAW SCHOOL, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS MUST INCLUDE IN THEIR COURSES MATERIALS WHICH MAINTAIN THE SENSITIVITY OF THE BAR TO ISSUES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. TOPICS OF CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE INNOVATIONS IN THE TEACHING OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF ATTORNEYS' ETHICS, THE SCRUTINIZING OF LEGAL EDUCATION, AND MORAL CONFLICTS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION. SPECIFIC PAPERS DELIVERED BEFORE THE CONFERENCE DISCUSS THE TEACHING OF REQUIRED COURSES IN PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF LEGAL EDUCATION, AND THE MORAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. THE WINNING ESSAYS OF THE STUDENT WRITING CONTEST ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY INDICATE THAT LAWYERS OWE A DUTY TO BOTH THEIR CLIENTS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM, AND THAT THE OBLIGATIONS OF ZEALOUS ADVOCACY DO NOT JUSTIFY MISCONDUCT. THE AMERICAN TRIAL LAWYER MUST NOT BECOME A MERCENARY, BUT SHOULD ALWAYS BE AN ADVOCATE BOUND BY A STRICT ETHICAL CODE. FOOTNOTES, REFERENCES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).