Why Lawyers Behave As They Do

by Paul G. Haskell

Over the past five years, the American Bar Association and legal educators themselves have been expanding the discussion of professional responsibility. Traditionalists state that lawyers must maximize the gain for their client regardless of whether that means turning a blind eye to behavior or facts which may serve justice but hinder the client's case.In Why Lawyers Behave as They Do, Paul Haskell explains the professional rules that govern how lawyers behave and which permit?or require?conduct that laypersons may find unethical. In his criticism of the traditional role of lawyers, Haskell proposes an alternative?and controversial?model of behavior.

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 1998

Reviews

[Christopher Horne]

Unlike medicine or engineering where licensed professionals have enormous consequences (financial and personal), there is still a mystery associated with moral and ethical Behavior in the legal community. “Why lawyers behave as they do” should be read by all ‘legal counselors’ since , in my experience , the normative attorney is more concerned about profit margin than counsel rathert than ethics. For example, an attorney’s billing statement should be complete and itemized just like a doctor’s bill. Great book!