1st Edition

Professionalism and Values in Law Practice

By Robert Feldman Copyright 2021
    106 Pages
    by Routledge

    106 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book presents practical advice to law students and those entering and now working in the legal profession that will help them to reconcile who they are as a person with the demands and opportunities of a legal career.

    The book sets out a clear framework and practice examples for: (i) defining “success”, (ii) understanding the role of a professional in relation to clients, colleagues, adversaries and community, (iii) reconciling demands of practice within ethical rules and norms, business considerations and personal values and (iv) building a values-centered, economically viable practice and reputation.

    Complete with practical advice and experiences that produce and reinforce a holistic approach, this book provides invaluable support for second- and third-year law students and lawyers in practice to establish elusive work-life balance over the course of a legal career.

    SECTION ONE: AWARENESS OF BALANCE BETWEEN BUSINESS, ETHICS AND VALUES IN LAW PRACTICE

    1. The Values Driven Professional and Giving Voice to Values

    2. Character and Values

    3. Professionalism Beyond Legal Competence

    4. Legal Ethics and Duties

    5. Reconciling Character and Values with Expectations of Clients and Employers

    SECTION TWO: ANALYSIS AND ACTION IN LAWYER/CLIENT REPRESENTATION AND INTRA PROFESSIONAL INTERACTIONS

    6. Who is the Client?

    7. Objectives of Representation

    8. Counseling/Decision Making in the Attorney Client Relationship

    9. Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest

    10. Enron – Lessons in Corruption of Values

    SECTION THREE: CORE INTANGIBLES

    11. Trust and Honesty

    SECTION FOUR: BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER

    12. Career Choices

    13. Building a Practice / Business Development

    14. Role of a Mentor

    15. Contributing to a Cooperative Workplace / Diversity

    16. The Role of a Lawyer in the Community

    Biography

    Robert Feldman teaches Professional Responsibility and Negotiation Theory and Practice. He was a corporate partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges specializing in real estate transactions, restructurings and bankruptcy. He was part of the team representing the Chapter 11 Debtor’s Estate in both the Enron and Lehman bankruptcies.