Ethos and Conscience - A Rejoinder

Abstract:     
In “Wanted: An Ethos of Personal Responsibility,” Professor Kleinberger sought to prompt debate about the moral preconceptions of the legal profession. Professor Morawetz responded in his essay, “Layers and Conscience.” This article responds, commenting on Morawetz’s arguments that (1) excessive pessimism about lawyer morality is unfounded and counterproductive; (2) the public’s antipathy toward lawyers is inevitable given the role lawyers play in our society; (3) codes of ethics can and do have an uplifting influence on the morals of lawyers; and (4) law schools can and do train moral judgment.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 11

Keywords: Legal Ethics, Professional Responsibility, Law School, Legal Instruction

Accepted Paper Series