For more than a decade, American lawyers have bewailed the ethical crisis in their profession, wringing their hands about its bad image. But their response has been limited to spending money on public relations, mandating education, and endlessly revising ethical rules. InLawyers in the Dock, Richard L. Abel argues that these measures will do little or nothing to solve the problems illustrated by the six disciplinary case studies featured in this book unless the legal monopoly enjoyed by attorneys in the U.S. is drastically contracted.
Richard Abel examines some of the most common ethical complaints made about lawyers inLawyers in the Dock. Using detailed records of disciplinary proceedings, he describes the actions surrounding certain cases based on three of the most common complaints: neglecting the client by failing to pursue cases diligently; overcharging of clients by mystifying billing practices; and betraying adversaries and courts out of excessive loyalty to clients or causes. Richard Abel argues that these measures will do little or nothing to solve the problems exposed by his six disciplinary case studies unless structural changes are made to the legal monopoly in order to restore the public trust in lawyers.Lawyers in the Dockis essential reading for lawyers, law students, and potential clients who wish to restore trust and professional responsibility in the legal profession.
Preface 1. Trust and Betrayal Part One: Neglect 2. Juggling Too Many Balls 3. Practicing Immigration Law in Filene's Basement 4. The Overachiever Part Two: Fees 5. Bleak House in America 6. The Perils of Perfectionism Part Three: Excessive Zeal 7. The Purloined Papers 8. Restoring Trust Notes References Index
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