Sustainable Professionalism

Abstract

This article challenges traditional visions of lawyering by building on current alternative narratives and articulating a new discourse of professionalism that is personally, politically, ethically, economically, and professionally sustainable. It is a discourse that makes space for lawyers' principles, interests, and life preferences by balancing them with other important interests (including, but not dominated by, those of clients). It is a discourse that seeks to make good on aspirational promises of equality, access to justice, and protecting the public interest. And it is a discourse that takes seriously obligations to, as well as benefits from, the culturally complicated makeup of the bar and pluralistic and globalized civil societies.

Keywords: Professionalism, professional responsibility, ethics, morals, morality, conduct, legal ethics, regulation, lawyers, legal profession, law, sustainable, responsible, pluralism, attorney, solicitor, barrister, counsel, bar, education, legal education, zealous advocate, moral lawyer