Lawyers' allegiances : defining the profession's value-system

Abstract

Before embarking on a journey to become a professional lawyer, one must ideally have a clear understanding of what the functions and role of a lawyer are, not only towards his clients, but more importantly, his place within the legal system, and his duties towards the society within which he lives. This task should not be underestimated or ignored by any professional, and this exercise must be done early, ideally, before embarking on the profession. This may avoid inescapable potential dilemmas on how to act and react professionally in any given circumstance. The loyalty owed towards the State and its laws, towards the client's rights and interests; the duties which are owed towards the Court and third parties, and towards the legal profession; the potential interference of a lawyer's personal values, beliefs, interests and identity, and any indirect responsibility owed towards the society in which we live, all seem to have a role in the lawyer's dealings. All these elements may sometimes seem to conflict in the eyes of a common person, but it may be that in the reality of practice they can exist side by side, each one taking priority over the other, depending on the shifts in circumstances or the issues under consideration. These loyalties direct the lawyer in judging whether a particular action should be taken or not. Themes in connection and the values of the profession will be discovered Ultimately, having a clear vision of one's position within the legal framework is a key to the success of any lawyer. Success is not judged only by how many cases are won throughout a lawyer's life, but also on whether the actions served for the good of society and helped the lawyer achieve a sense of personal achievement and fulfillment.