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Article
Law as a Profession: Examining the Role of Accountability
Fordham Urban Law Journal
  • Susan Saab Fortney, Texas A&M University School of Law
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2012
ISSN
0199-4646
Abstract

In asserting that law is a profession, not a business, lawyers often refer to the role that self-governance plays in the legal profession. Julius Henry Cohen captured this sentiment in the following exhortation: “Ours is a profession...The sins of one of us are the sins of all of us.” Come, brethren, let us clean house.” Meaningful self-governance requires accountable and independent professionals. This article tackles accountability as fundamental aspects of professionalism. The examination of accountability considers fissures in accountability as demonstrated in lawyers’ rush to jump on the limited liability bandwagon and resistance to mandatory legal malpractice insurance and insurance disclosure requirements. The article closes with a exposition on lawyer self-interest and the importance of inculcating a sense of financial responsibility as a distinguishing characteristic of law as a profession

Num Pages
39
Publisher
Fordham Law School
Disciplines
File Type
PDF
Citation Information
Susan Saab Fortney. "Law as a Profession: Examining the Role of Accountability" Fordham Urban Law Journal Vol. 40 Iss. 1 (2012) p. 177 - 215
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/susan_fortney/50/