The Moral Compass of the American Lawyer: Truth, Justice, Power, and GreedThese 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. |
Contents
Acknowledgments | 11 |
Part Two Power and Its Abuse | 49 |
Part Three Greed and Deceit | 119 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abuse accused adversary system adversary theorem American Bar Association American Lawyer Andrea argue Armani asked attorney-client attorney-client privilege attorneys behavior Belge billable hour billing called charges claims class action class members client conduct confidential corporate counsel courtroom crime criminal defense lawyers Dalkon Shield dangerous Dennison discovery documents ethics rules evidence federal fees Fentress filed firm's Frank Armani fraud guilty Hopman Hutner in-house insurance company issue judge jurors jury justice Kaye knew law firm law professor Law Review law school lawsuits Legal Ethics legal system Lilly litigation memo ment Michael Josephson million moral National Law Journal never O.J. Simpson opinion partners plaintiffs police Potter practice Professional protect Prozac represent RICHEWSKI Richie Robert Garrow safety Scholer secrecy secret settle settlement Sharon side SLAPP Supreme Court tell Texas tion told tort Tovarich trial lawyers truth victims witness York