Resurgent Professionalism? Partnership and Professionalism in Global Law Firms

Abstract

The industrialization of legal practice is leading to an increased tension between professionalism and business as varieties of the prevailing ethos in large law firms. Using historical and biographical data of law firms this tension is examined with the result that professionalism is, on the legal profession's own terms, dying out. Only in rare niche, smaller firms can residues of professionalism be located.

Keywords: law firms, legal profession, history, biography, professionalism, profession

JEL Classification: J44, K33