Much attention is being focused on the topic of ethics and professionalism in the practice of law. Former Florida Supreme Court justice Raoul Cantero notes a “distinction between the concepts of ethics — described what was required of lawyers — and professionalism — what was expected of lawyers.” (Raoul Cantero, The Carrot-and-Stick Approach to Professionalism. …
Beck, et al presents the results of an extensive series of studies on “lawyer distress” (Connie J.A. Beck, Bruce D. Sales and G. Andrew H. Benjamin, Lawyer Distress: Alcohol-Related Problems and Other Psychological Concerns Among A Sample of Practicing Lawyers, 10 J.L. & Health 1 (1996)) where the studies present page after page of statistics …
This week’s topic focuses on civility: The Profession’s Call for Civility. “Got a Problem with it?” As Robert Josefsbergpoints out in his article of the same name, civility is a component of professionalism (including civility, ethics, being well prepared, and pro bono work). But why is civility important? Why is there a focus on civility when looking …