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The Moral Compass of the American Lawyer

Author : Richard A. Zitrin

Publisher : Ballantine Books

Page : 320 pages

File Size : 47,76 MB

Release : 2011-10-12

Category : Social Science

ISBN : 030780741X

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Book Description

These are perilous times for Americans who need access to the legal system. Too many lawyers blatantly abuse power and trust, engage in reckless ethical misconduct, grossly unjust billing practices, and dishonesty disguised as client protection. All this has undermined the credibility of lawyers and the authority of the legal system. In the court of public opinion, many lawyers these days are guiltier than the criminals or giant corporations they defend. Is the public right? In this eye-opening, incisive book, Richard Zitrin and Carol Langford, two practicing lawyers and distinguished law professors, shine a penetrating light on the question everyone is asking: Why do lawyers behave the way they do? All across the country, lawyers view certain behavior as "ethical" while average citizens judge that same conduct "immoral." Now, with expert analysis of actual cases ranging from murder to class action suits, Zitrin and Langford investigate lawyers' behavior and its impact on our legal system. The result is a stunningly clear-eyed exploration of law as it is practiced in America today--and a cogent, groundbreaking program for legal reform.



A Civility-based Model for New Lawyers

Author : James H. Fierberg

Publisher : American Bar Association

Page : 210 pages

File Size : 34,29 MB

Release : 2021

Category : Legal ethics

ISBN : 9781641058308

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Book Description

While new law school graduates are pretty well versed in black letter law, they often lack the interpersonal and psychological skills that are imperative to a successful legal career. This book challenges the new lawyer to view themselves through the lens of their colleagues and clients and also to be aware of the basic behavioral norms that are the basis of a successful practice.



Trial Lawyer

Author : Richard Zitrin

Publisher : Political Animal Press

Page : 372 pages

File Size : 45,69 MB

Release : 2022-06-07

Category : Biography & Autobiography

ISBN : 9781895131611

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Book Description

REPRESENTING PEOPLE AGAINST POWER Internationally known legal ethics professor Richard Zitrin's work as a trial lawyer placed him on the front lines of fighting systemic racism, pervasive elitism, and injustice against individuals in the legal system. In Trial Lawyer, he shares details of the most compelling cases he's encountered and exposes the dilemmas he faced throughout his one-of-a-kind career. The profound, the consequential, the shocking, the bizarre, and even the humorous, Trial Lawyer brings to life what it means to represent people against power. From his first case as a young law student on the famous and highly politicized San Quentin Six case and throughout his forty-year career, Zitrin has worked on dozens of cases that underscore the inherent biases of the legal system - towards people of color, the poor, the less educated, and those who just don't appear to fit the mold of whatever society considers "normal". His personal stories bring the reader inside the courtroom to experience a unique cast of characters, strange-but-true facts, brilliant trial tricks and tactics--and not-so-brilliant ones that failed miserably. Each had its own lessons: about social justice, fairness, strategy, ethics, morality, and more.



The Lawyer's Conscience

Author : Michael S. Ariens

Publisher : University Press of Kansas

Page : 400 pages

File Size : 10,13 MB

Release : 2023-07-21

Category : Law

ISBN : 0700633839

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Book Description

In 1776, Thomas Paine declared the end of royal rule in the United States. Instead, “law is king,” for the people rule themselves. Paine’s declaration is the dominant American understanding of how political power is exercised. In making law king, American lawyers became integral to the exercise of political power, so integral to law that legal ethics philosopher David Luban concluded, “lawyers are the law.” American lawyers have defended the exercise of this power from the Revolution to the present by arguing their work is channeled by the profession’s standards of ethical behavior. Those standards demand that lawyers serve the public interest and the interests of their paying clients before themselves. The duties owed both to the public and to clients meant lawyers were in the marketplace selling their services, but not of the marketplace. This is the story of power and the limits of ethical constraints to ensure such power is properly wielded. The Lawyer’s Conscience is the first book examining the history of American lawyer ethics, ranging from the mid-eighteenth century to the “professionalism” crisis facing lawyers today.



Law's Virtues

Author : Cathleen Kaveny

Publisher : Georgetown University Press

Page : 306 pages

File Size : 18,14 MB

Release : 2012-09-20

Category : Religion

ISBN : 1589019334

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Book Description

Can the law promote moral values even in pluralistic societies such as the United States? Drawing upon important federal legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, legal scholar and moral theologian Cathleen Kaveny argues that it can. In conversation with thinkers as diverse as Thomas Aquinas, Pope John Paul II, and Joseph Raz, she argues that the law rightly promotes the values of autonomy and solidarity. At the same time, she cautions that wise lawmakers will not enact mandates that are too far out of step with the lived moral values of the actual community. According to Kaveny, the law is best understood as a moral teacher encouraging people to act virtuously, rather than a police officer requiring them to do so. In Law’s Virtues Kaveny expertly applies this theoretical framework to the controversial moral-legal issues of abortion, genetics, and euthanasia. In addition, she proposes a moral analysis of the act of voting, in dialogue with the election guides issued by the US bishops. Moving beyond the culture wars, this bold and provocative volume proposes a vision of the relationship of law and morality that is realistic without being relativistic and optimistic without being utopian.



Lawyers as Leaders

Author : Deborah L. Rhode

Publisher : Oxford University Press

Page : 313 pages

File Size : 15,47 MB

Release : 2013-11

Category : Law

ISBN : 0199896224

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Book Description

Why do we look to lawyers to lead, and why do so many of them prove to be so untrustworthy and unprepared? In Lawyers as Leaders, eminent law professor Deborah Rhode not only answers these questions but crafts an essential manual for attorneys who need to develop better leadership skills.





The Lawyer Bubble

Author : Steven J Harper

Publisher : Basic Books

Page : 274 pages

File Size : 46,1 MB

Release : 2016-03-08

Category : Law

ISBN : 0465097634

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Book Description

A noble profession is facing its defining moment. From law schools to the prestigious firms that represent the pinnacle of a legal career, a crisis is unfolding. News headlines tell part of the story—the growing oversupply of new lawyers, widespread career dissatisfaction, and spectacular implosions of pre-eminent law firms. Yet eager hordes of bright young people continue to step over each other as they seek jobs with high rates of depression, life-consuming hours, and little assurance of financial stability. The Great Recession has only worsened these trends, but correction is possible and, now, imperative. In The Lawyer Bubble, Steven J. Harper reveals how a culture of short-term thinking has blinded some of the nation’s finest minds to the long-run implications of their actions. Law school deans have ceded independent judgment to flawed U.S. News & World Report rankings criteria in the quest to maximize immediate results. Senior partners in the nation’s large law firms have focused on current profits to enhance American Lawyer rankings and individual wealth at great cost to their institutions. Yet, wiser decisions—being honest about the legal job market, revisiting the financial incentives currently driving bad behavior, eliminating the billable hour model, and more—can take the profession to a better place. A devastating indictment of the greed, shortsightedness, and dishonesty that now permeate the legal profession, this insider account is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how things went so wrong and how the profession can right itself once again.



ABA Journal

Author :

Publisher :

Page : 108 pages

File Size : 16,79 MB

Release : 1999-06

Category :

ISBN :

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Book Description

The ABA Journal serves the legal profession. Qualified recipients are lawyers and judges, law students, law librarians and associate members of the American Bar Association.



The New Lawyer's Handbook

Author : Karen Thalacker

Publisher : Sourcebooks, Inc.

Page : 290 pages

File Size : 38,29 MB

Release : 2009-06-01

Category : Law

ISBN : 1402249101

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Book Description

101 Success Strategies They Didn't Teach You in Law School - get expert advice on becoming a better lawyer. While law school taught you the fundamentals, The New Lawyer's Handbook is your indispensable companion, unveiling 101 insider tips and tricks that will elevate your legal career from good to outstanding! The New Lawyer's Handbook provides: Real-world Wisdom: Gain practical insights from seasoned legal professionals who have navigated the trenches and emerged victorious. Learn from their experiences and avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the most promising careers. Expert Strategies: Master the art of effective communication, negotiation, and advocacy with powerful techniques honed by top attorneys. Develop your unique style and stand out in the courtroom and boardroom. Building a Winning Network: Discover the secrets to cultivating a robust professional network that opens doors to exciting opportunities and accelerates your growth within the legal community. Balancing Work and Life: Achieve a harmonious work-life balance by implementing time management skills and self-care practices that boost productivity and prevent burnout. Legal Research and Writing: Unleash the full potential of your legal research and writing prowess with cutting-edge resources and best practices. Craft persuasive arguments and draft impeccable legal documents that leave a lasting impact. Mastering Client Relationships: Learn how to foster trust, understanding, and empathy with clients. Deliver exceptional service that forges strong bonds, ensuring client loyalty and referrals. Navigating Career Advancement: Propel your career forward with guidance on seeking mentors, obtaining promotions, and excelling in your chosen legal field. From courtroom etiquette to mastering legal software, The New Lawyer's Handbook equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to conquer the legal world. With an abundance of actionable advice and expert guidance, this book is the ultimate roadmap for launching and flourishing in your legal career.