LAWYERS & THE LEGAL PROFESSION


I. OVERVIEW

    A. GENERAL FUNCTION

    B. Activities

        1.    litigation

        2.    representation

        3.    negotiation

        4.    securing

        5.    counseling

    B. SPECIALIZATIONS       

        1. CORPORATE

        2. CRIMINAL

        3. ENVIRONMENT

        4. FAMILY

        5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

        6. INTERNATIONAL

        7. SECURITIES

        8. TAX

        9. OTHER

    C. STATUS OF LAWYERS (PERCEPTIONS OF U.S. JUDICIAL SYSTEM)

II. LAWYERS AND CLIENTS

    A. ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES (Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 1977)

    B. LEGAL ETHICS

III. BECOMING A LAWYER

    A. MAJOR CHANGES OF THE PROFESSION (LAWYERS IN U.S.- Bureau of Labor Statistics)

    B. Causes of Growth (Need for Lawyer Reform)

        1.    INCREASING SOCIETAL COMPLEXITY

        2.    MASSIVE GROWTH IN GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS

        3.    ENTERTAINMENT GLAMORIZATION OF PROFESSION

        4.    BETTER EDUCATED POPULATION

        5.    LAW SCHOOL RECRUITMENT

        6.    OPENING OF PROFESSION TO FORMERLY EXCLUDED GROUPS

              (Women in the Law)

    B. LEGAL EDUCATION

    C. BAR ADMISSION

IV. SKILLS

    A. ANALYZING

    B. SYNTHESIZING

    C. COUNSELING

    D. COMMUNICATING

    E. NEGOTIATING

    F. ADVOCATING


Key Web Sites

American Bar Association

Codes of Legal Ethics

National Lawyers Guild

The American Association of Law Schools

Access Group

Student Guide to Financial Aid

National Association of Law Placement

Lawyers Jokes

Dumb Things Lawyers Have Said in Court

Weird Al's Take on our Litigious Society