January 2002

Proud to Be a Lawyer:
The Noble Profession

by David A. Larson

It is hard for me to believe, but I almost quit the practice of law. I was burned out, grouchy, sleep-deprived, and generally an unhappy camper. I was as successful as a lawyer could be — working all the time, getting more referrals than I could handle, and of course, earning "medals of honor" for being addicted to my work. 

I was a "zealous advocate"; representing my clients was paramount to all else. My life - especially my family life - suffered. In 1998, I turned back most of my cases, and began downsizing my firm with the eventual goal of finding something else to do.

In my quest to find another line of work, I realized one truth that is sometimes forgotten. I was already working in one of the most noble professions that has ever existed. Why would I want to do anything else?

I finally came to the realization that I am the only person who can control how I practice law. By not allowing myself to be bogged down emotionally with out-of-control court rules, brutish behavior by some members of the bar and bench, unappreciative clients and societal stigmas, I am free to focus on the things I can accomplish in this noble profession. 

You only need to look at the preamble to the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPCs) to understand my point of view, and to also freshen your own outlook on the potential for greatness our profession enjoys. The preamble to the RPCs states:

The continued existence of a free and democratic society depends upon recognition of the concept that justice is based upon the rule of law grounded in respect for the dignity of the individual and the capacity through reason for enlightened self-government. Law so grounded makes justice possible, for only through such law does the dignity of the individual attain respect and protection. Without it, individual rights become subject to unrestrained power, respect for law is destroyed, and rational self-government is impossible.

Lawyers, as guardians of the law, play a vital role in the preservation of society. The fulfillment of this role requires an understanding by lawyers of their relationship with and function in our legal system. A consequent obligation of lawyers is to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct.

In fulfilling professional responsibilities, a lawyer necessarily assumes various roles that require the performance of many difficult tasks. Not every situation which a lawyer may encounter can be foreseen, but fundamental ethical principles are always present as guidelines. Within the framework of these principles, a lawyer must, with courage and foresight, be able and ready to shape the body of the law to the ever-changing relationships of society.

The Rules of Professional Conduct point the way to the aspiring and provide standards by which to judge the transgressor. Each lawyer must find within his or her own conscience the touchstone against which to test the extent to which his or her actions should rise above minimum standards. 

But in the last analysis it is the desire for the respect and confidence of the members of the legal profession and the society which the lawyer serves that should provide to a lawyer the incentive for the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The possible loss of that respect and confidence is the ultimate sanction. So long as its practitioners are guided by these principles, the law will continue to be a noble profession. This is its greatness and its strength, which permit of no compromise.

In the public's eye, and sadly, in the eyes of many lawyers, the last two sentences often do not ring true today. Is our profession truly guided by the principles of the RPCs? If living these principles are our "greatness and strength," are our failings and weaknesses a sign of the hollowness of these words? Or, are our failings and weaknesses signs that we are lost in a morass of procedure that emphasizes form over substance, might over right, process over people, and profit over professionalism? 

Only you can answer these questions in relation to your own conduct. You have the ability to control your own nobility, or lack thereof. After all, " . . . [e]ach lawyer must find within his or her own conscience the touchstone against which to test the extent to which his or her actions should rise above minimum standards."

In the process of considering the nobility of your work, also consider the following principles:

• Seeking justice for a client does not mean seeking injustice for others.
• When you think of "rights," first ask what should be done, not simply what can be done.
• Professionalism is not just how you act, it's also how you react.
• The best community service we can perform as lawyers is to simply be "good" lawyers.
• A lawyer's role in assuring "enlightened self-government" is simply to help our clients function in a manner that does not impede the rights of others in the process of exercising their own rights.
• Our clients want to be given the opportunity to live justice; they do not want to be forced to seek it.
• Liberty and justice — you can't have one without the other.
• When most people think of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," they usually don't think of participating in the justice system.
• It takes more intellect to make something complicated simple than to make something simple complicated.
• Oliver Wendell Holmes said: "Every calling is great when greatly pursued."

The nobility of our profession is determined one lawyer at a time, and it starts with you. Do you want to be part of the "greatness and strength" of our profession? It's up to you.

The Proud To Be A Lawyer Series

Lawyers have many reasons to be proud of their profession. This website features inspirational stories and quotes, updated at least weekly.

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Why are you proud to be a lawyer? Has a colleague done something to inspire you or renew your pride in the profession recently? Please share your stories, anecdotes and quotes about the good work being done by lawyers every day, by sending them to:

Proud To Be A Lawyer
WSBA
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Seattle, WA 98040-2330
email: AllisonP@wsba.org