I'm deciding whether or not i should become a lawyer. Right now i'm concerned with ethicality.?

Question

I really want to become a lawyer because i believe that it is a profession that i can become very passionate about. I read the paper and see all the horrible things that happen to innocent people and it infuriates me how the plaintiffs get shafted because the defendant puts on a convincing facade of innocence. I'm not in it for the money at all, but i would be lying if i said i wasn't in it for the prestige. Right now i'm very confused. My parents tell me i wouldn't be a good lawyer because I have to lie. As a person who is moral fiber conscious, I always try to exhibit a strong sense of integrity to anybody i encounter. My question deals with ethics. Can i remain ethical as a lawyer? I'm not familiar with what lawyers can and cannot do. I always hear bad things about lawyers being devil advocates and deviously deceptive people. I don't want to be like that. Would i be allowed to choose which clients to represent if i worked at a firm?

Answer 1

Not only can you remain true to your ethics while an attorney, many of us pride ourselves on it. It may mean turning down a case or a potential client from time to time, but more often it's not nearly so hard as non-lawyers believe to remain true to a strong ethical position while vigorously representing your clients.

The first thing to remember is that even someone who has done something wrong is entitled to the best available representation. In the criminal context, it's an attorney's job to make sure that the prosecution has proved the elements of the crime, and has done so within the bounds of the law. Alternatively, arranging for a client the best possible outcome in a plea bargain does not violate any ethical standards.

In a civil context, it's your job to remember that you're an officer of the court. Your duty is to your client, and to - again - achieving the best possible outcome, applying the facts to the law. You fully test the opposition's case, and argue your case as well as you can.

In the big firm context, it can get a bit more complicated. First years with ethical concerns may find senior partners less than interested in qualms about a particular client or case. But remember, when choosing where you want to work, if you're going to a big firm, your clients are going to be different than if you were working in a legal aid clinic.You make that choice going in.

Best of luck making your choice!

Answer 2

so, why can't you be both, get your J.D. and your masters or higher in anthropology? SInce you want to help people you need to consider which career will allow you to do that fully. Who cares if people don't like you as a lawyer, you'll still be the one they call for legal problems, right? I'm sure there's a way you could combine these two interests and create a career, such as becoming a litigator for Amnesty International, or focusing your law career on civil rights, animal rights, or some other social cause, or running for political office. Plenty of NGO's hire lawyers, as do lobbying groups such as the the American Humane Society or Mothers Against Drunk Driving. As an anthropologist you could research at a foreign university, work for foreign interest companies, become a consultant for corporations, there are many possibilities. Yes the headache is work it. It's your career, you don't want to hate what you do everyday, right? If it is what you love to do, if you could work at whatever career you choose for 60 hours a week, for little pay, and still enjoy it, then it shouldn't give you a headache in the first place.

Answer 3

I come into contact with attornies every day. I know a select few who have, over the years, retained their ethical standards. They are not, however, the flashy, popular attornies that everyone talks about. If you're looking for prestige in the sense of popularity, you won't find it being an ethically strong attorney. However, if you are as morally strong as you say, prestige would not be an important factor. You could, however, always choose to be a prosecutor. It does carry prestige, and you wouldn't have to worry about representing any morally reprehensible people, only prosecuting them. I'm not so sure you have much of a choice when you first start working at a firm. You need to remember that you are partially responsible for the financial productivity of a firm when you join and not all of them would be so understanding about turning down thousands of dollars to save your conscience. Those choices come once you're more experienced and able to create your own practice. Or you could always choose to work for Legal Aid. The money will not be great, but you would have the chance to work with people who genuinely need help every day.

Answer 4

" I read the paper .... it infuriates me how the plaintiffs get shafted because the defendant puts on a convincing facade of innocence." So ... you don't need any evidence or knowledge of the law or anything .... just a simple newspaper article will do it for you, huh? You are also working under black and white assumptions (plaintiff = right and defendant = wrong).

Neither you nor your parents seem to know very much about the profession.

Your first duty is to zealously represent your client and to get the best possible result for your client while acting within the codes and boundaries of professional responsibility (which are very clearly outlined) and the law.

Your personal integrity is not the law of this land. You have to work with the law as your guide and not your personal feelings.

Answer 5

No question of ethics ! See, your Constitution gives everyone a fair trial, and a Counsel of their choice. Even if you are representing the worst of the criminals, you are only upholding the Constitutional principle! So long as you do not lie or cheat for your client there is nothing unethical ! Further believe in the fundamental tenet that "a person is innocent until proved otherwise". You place your side of the case, the prosecution theirs. that is all.
Go, be a Lawyer, 'cause you have the idealism to be one !

Answer 6

Would i be allowed to choose which clients to represent if i worked at a firm?
odds are NO!
Our legal system is abused by both the defense lawyers who lie and prosecutors that withhold evidence. Yes as a lawyer your ethics will be tested. Can you defend a guilty man that claims innocence? Can you prosecute an innocent man that circumstantial evidence says COULD be guilty?
Being a lawyer is not 100% about YOUR ethics. it is doing your job for your client with 100% effort regardless of whether you agree or disagree with your client. and by client I mean whomever you represent prosecution or defense or plaintiff.

Answer 7

Lawyers actually have very little control over who they represent. If you work for a firm ...the firm wants to make money and to make money you need to win....It's all about the winning. You represent whomever can pay . If you work for a public defender's office you have less pressure to win your case ........but are
paid little money and still have no control over who you represent. You can do Pro-Bono (for free) work on the side and choose who you represent by your moral standards....but in order to make a living you need to lower your moral standards.
Unfortunately this is true in all segments of law ...corporate law , criminal law , civil law....etc.
You are obviously young and have not yet encountered the massive unethical ways of the world. It's an admirable stance but a very lonely one and one that will keep you poor as a lawyer or if not poor, jaded and unhappy with your profession.

Answer 8

So... lawyers and ethical problems.... yeah, it's something we've been working on, since everyone knows that only lawyers lie and steal for a living....not like any building contractor ever padded their estimates or poured less concrete than the specifications....no banker ever embezzled funds...no cops ever planted evidence... bartenders would never water drinks....no, that kind of thing is only for lawyers.

You can be as honest and ethical as you choose to be, no matter what profession.

Answer 9

Doubt it. At a firm, it's about billable hours and making money. You work the cases you are given.