As a expatriated brit, It never fails to amaze me how many lawyers
you americans have. We have a lay magistrate that consists of volunteers, able to hear lesser cases that would be your equivalent of your civil court system. Our "justices of the peace"
perform such acts out of the same volunteer spirit that americans
have for public affairs, and eliminate the need to professionalize
the system to the point you Americans have had.
Even on Yahoo answers, I see many answers that mention looking
for legal counsel, suing, etc. Its so ironic, because many europeans get the impression that americans "get along",
while in actuality they seem to run to legal means to settle even
petty nonsense(two replies to a waitress who got stiffed by a
customer advised the waitress to obtain legal counsel immediately!) This would be beyond laughable in the UK!
Finally, don't you feel that American lawyers game the system,
so to speak, to keep the biz flowing? I'm thinking of tort
& ambchasers.
2006-09-12 03:50:15 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Shakespeare said it best.......
2006-09-13 05:47:38 · update #1
SOURCE ? What reliable source shows we have so many lawyers - I found lots of websites for people saying it was true. Mostly political interest of religious sites that would like it to be true, but no reliable sources.
As a former Ex-pat Brit (now a US citizen) what never ceases to irritate me, are judgemental ex-pat Brits who love to criticise the USA, while remaining here, instead of going back to the UK.
And finally - you seem to imply we should NOT have so many lawyers - why ? Is it OK to have lots (maybe a surplus) of other professions - window cleaner mechanic, factory worker, shop assistants etc.), but not to have lots of lawyers ?
2006-09-12 04:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by dryheatdave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The practice of law in this country is both highly and lowly regarded. It is an elite profession that garners high wages. Our law is based on both English common law and statutes, so it is very complicated. One needs an attorney for simple things like negotiating a commercial lease. Lots of people want the status and salary of a lawyer. But too many are unscrupulous and money grabbers who will do anything to win or get paid. They give the good ones a bad reputation. This society has become litigous because people have seen many people win the lottery by becoming a victim. Because of contingent fees, where the client pays nothing unless he wins, anyone can get a big payout from a rich company. That drives the lawsuits and more and more people sign up to be lawyers and plaintiffs.
2006-09-12 03:58:06 · answer #2 · answered by grdnoviz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's relatively easy to pass the bar exam in the states of the USA.
In Britain there is a bottleneck: barristers have to get pupillage and solicitors have to get clerkships. Virtually impossible without one of the following: an Oxbridge first or a parent who is already a successful solicitor or barrister (or a similar godfather to put in the fixeroo -- could be an important client)
In the USA the difference in earnings between top lawyers and everyone else is dramatic. Rainmaking is the difference: one can hire talent, but one has to draw in clients with personality and celebrity status. Or inherit them. Or be a member of the "club".
There are always exceptions. Luck makes all the difference.
As with real estate agents, a bigger market tends to result in more practitioners sharing the business, not in higher average pay. There will still be stars.
2006-09-12 03:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think we have so many lawyers because our legal system has soo many levels and because it seems to work. As for the waitress being told to sue, those were probably just sarcastic comments.
2006-09-12 03:54:40 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ady_8e_80♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because we as Americans sue over everything and anything. The mentality of a lot of people is they think they can sue to make money rather than work. Quick Fix.
2006-09-12 03:55:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the USA is a litigation minefield and the legal profession pays so well as a result. Britain is following close behind now.
2006-09-12 03:56:06 · answer #6 · answered by Latin Techie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why? Because The UK and the USA were given a choice:
One could have the most lawyers; the other could have
terrible food, bad teeth and lousy weather.
And the UK got to pick first.
2006-09-12 04:00:04 · answer #7 · answered by johnslat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i replaced into on an identical subject and this website helped me SAVEFINDER.internet- RE united states of america legal experts who address huge companies? the place am i able to locate legal experts in Maryland who address huge companies?
2016-11-07 04:16:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they dont. also for your information 80 % of all lawyers in the world are located in the united states.
2006-09-13 04:20:02 · answer #9 · answered by scififed 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The same reason it has too many doctors.
2006-09-12 04:57:05 · answer #10 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋