Calling Law a 'Profession' Only Confuses Thinking about the Challenges Lawyers Face

Morgan, Thomas

Abstract

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Calling Law a 'Profession' Only Confuses Thinking about the Challenges Lawyers Face

Thomas D. Morgan

George Washington University Law School

February 17, 2012

University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Forthcoming
GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-11
GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 2012-11

Abstract:
It is appropriate to want lawyers to be mature, moral people and to help legal education reinforce those qualities. It is also appropriate to be sure students understand lawyers’ fiduciary responsibilities and the ways lawyers fall short of meeting them. It only confuses work on those issues, however, to call them part of teaching "professionalism." Law is not a "profession" as that term has traditionally been used. Calling law a profession does not help understanding the challenges lawyers face.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 35

Keywords: professionalism, collaborative law, pro bono service, technology, legal education

JEL Classification: K19, K29, K39, K49

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Date posted: February 18, 2012

Suggested Citation

Morgan, Thomas D., Calling Law a 'Profession' Only Confuses Thinking about the Challenges Lawyers Face (February 17, 2012). University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Forthcoming; GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-11; GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 2012-11. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2007296

Contact Information

Thomas D. Morgan (Contact Author)

George Washington University Law School ( email )

2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States