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Full-Text Articles in Law
The Rise Of Environmental, Social And Corporate Governance Disclosures In The United States And Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence In Europe: Implications For U.S. Lawyers, Marie-Claude Jean-Baptiste
The Rise Of Environmental, Social And Corporate Governance Disclosures In The United States And Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence In Europe: Implications For U.S. Lawyers, Marie-Claude Jean-Baptiste
Global Business Law Review
Over the past decade, due in part to the devastating impact of the global financial crisis of 2008 and growing awareness of climate change, the world witnessed increasing interest on the part of society in general, and investors in particular, for responsible business. “Responsible business” is the concept that business should be conducted in a way that 1) does not violate fundamental rights of the people affected by the business activity; 2) does not exacerbate environmental harm; and 3) complies with basic principles of good governance. Society’s interest in responsible business has been reflected in growing pressure on businesses to …
The Moral Lawyer And The Machiavellian Nature Of Law Practice, David Barnhizer
The Moral Lawyer And The Machiavellian Nature Of Law Practice, David Barnhizer
David Barnhizer
In Western culture the name Niccolo Machiavelli has become Machiavellianism, a pejorative signifying the willingness to do anything to achieve desired ends. American lawyers do have limits, however, and are expected to operate according to an ethical code that is at least intended to prevent the worst abuses. The effectiveness of this ethical code has often been questioned, as have the questionable efforts of the organized bar to enforce its rules, but on the surface it differentiates law practice from hand-to-hand combat and military struggles. Even though I have sometimes used the concepts of the warrior lawyer, the general and …
The Moral Lawyer And The Machiavellian Nature Of Law Practice, David Barnhizer
The Moral Lawyer And The Machiavellian Nature Of Law Practice, David Barnhizer
David Barnhizer
In Western culture the name Niccolo Machiavelli has become Machiavellianism, a pejorative signifying the willingness to do anything to achieve desired ends. American lawyers do have limits, however, and are expected to operate according to an ethical code that is at least intended to prevent the worst abuses. The effectiveness of this ethical code has often been questioned, as have the questionable efforts of the organized bar to enforce its rules, but on the surface it differentiates law practice from hand-to-hand combat and military struggles. Even though I have sometimes used the concepts of the warrior lawyer, the general and …
Legal Malpractice In A Changing Profession: The Role Of Contract Principles, Vincent R. Johnson
Legal Malpractice In A Changing Profession: The Role Of Contract Principles, Vincent R. Johnson
Cleveland State Law Review
In little more than four decades, the field of American legal ethics has been transformed from an unimportant backwater into a mighty river of legal principles that drives the practice of law in countless respects. Today, this complex matrix of substantive provisions and enforcement mechanisms ensures, to a great extent, that clients are protected from unnecessary harm, that lawyers are safeguarded from improper accusations, and that the provision of legal services is consistent with the public interest. However, the fabric of legal ethics is threatened by a looming transformation of the legal profession. That potential restructuring may revolutionize the delivery …
Seeking A Seat At The Table: Has Law Left Environmental Ethics Behind, As It Embraces Bioethics?,, Heidi Gorovitz Robertson
Seeking A Seat At The Table: Has Law Left Environmental Ethics Behind, As It Embraces Bioethics?,, Heidi Gorovitz Robertson
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
Bioethics evolved from theoretical philosophy into an applied field. Decision makers in health and medical sciences involve bioethicists in decisions and policy making. Although people study environmental ethics, mainly in philosophy programs, environmental ethicists are not involved in decision making. I explore the development of bioethics and environmental ethics, primarily considering the role of law in their development. I ask whether laws and legal opinions encouraging the use of bioethicists in decision making promoted the development of applied bioethics, and correspondingly, whether the absence of laws and opinions promoting environmental ethicists retarded the development of applied environmental ethics. Finally, I …
Ethics, Loyalty And Harm To Third Parties: A Debate Based On Spaulding V. Zimmerman, Lloyd B. Snyder, Scott Rawlings
Ethics, Loyalty And Harm To Third Parties: A Debate Based On Spaulding V. Zimmerman, Lloyd B. Snyder, Scott Rawlings
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
This discussion poses the question: should an attorney ever provide information to an opposing party to prevent that party from suffering great harm if the information will have an adverse effect on the attorney's own client? The case that sets the stage for this discussion is Spaulding v. Zimmerman, 243 Minn. 346 (1962).
Of Cell Phones And Electronic Mail: Disclosure Of Confidential Information Under Disciplinary Rule 4-101 And Model Rule 1.6, Karin M. Mika
Of Cell Phones And Electronic Mail: Disclosure Of Confidential Information Under Disciplinary Rule 4-101 And Model Rule 1.6, Karin M. Mika
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
Regardless of the known security risks, it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine a law firm in the twentieth century operating without the technological advancements that make it possible to communicate with anyone, anywhere, at any time. These advancements often enable immediate responses that are beneficial to attorneys and clients alike. Cellular phone usage and electronic mail are an integral mode of communication between firm members, negotiating attorneys, as well as between attorneys and their clients. While it has developed into a mode of communication making the practice of law more efficient, it is doubtful that most attorneys give …
Reap What You Sow, Gordon J. Beggs
Reap What You Sow, Gordon J. Beggs
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
Unfortunately, with the adoption and revision of formal ethics codes, moral teaching has virtually disappeared from American legal ethics. Law professors, generally, do not consider it their responsibility to teach morality, and our profession today lacks a common moral standard. The Judeo-Christian principles expressed in Proverbs, however, provide a timely challenge to lawyers by advocating values that include justice, purity, mercy, honesty and civility.
Lawyers, Learning, And Professionalism: Meditations On A Theme, Judith Welch Wegner
Lawyers, Learning, And Professionalism: Meditations On A Theme, Judith Welch Wegner
Cleveland State Law Review
This essay will offer three meditations on the theme of "lawyers, learning and professionalism." First, it lays a foundation by arguing that a commitment to learning is an appropriate and necessary professional value for lawyers. Next, it contends that lawyers need to take this professional value more seriously. It will suggest that lawyers lag behind other professions in learning about learning, and urge more lawyers deliberately do just that. Finally, the essay shares some important lessons about professionalism recently learned through learning experiments with practicing lawyers and law students.
Proverbial Practice: Legal Ethics From Old Testament Wisdom, Gordon J. Beggs
Proverbial Practice: Legal Ethics From Old Testament Wisdom, Gordon J. Beggs
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
The Old Testament book of Proverbs supplied foundational moral values for our nation's legal ethics. With the adoption and revision of formal codes, moral teaching has virtually disappeared from legal ethics. This essay suggests that the wisdom of Proverbs offers a timely challenge to the character of the legal profession by advocating values which include justice, purity, mercy, humility, honesty, candor, truthful testimony, and civility.
Aba Delegates Amend Model Rule , Susan J. Becker
Aba Delegates Amend Model Rule , Susan J. Becker
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
The ABA House of Delegates has amended Model Rule 4.2 regarding whom attorneys may ethically contact directly during the course of litigation or other legal matters. This article discusses the ramifications of this change.
Self-Inflicted Wounds: The Duty To Disclose Damaging Legal Authority, Angela Gilmore
Self-Inflicted Wounds: The Duty To Disclose Damaging Legal Authority, Angela Gilmore
Cleveland State Law Review
This article analyzes Rule 3.3(a)(3) and its implications for opposing parties in an adversarial legal system. The article's conclusion is that strict compliance with Rule 3.3(a)(3) by all members of the Bar is necessary to preserve the integrity of the legal system. Circumvention of the Rule is a disservice to the legal system. Part II explains Rule 3.3(a)(3) so that lawyers can grasp the ethical duty owed. Part III examines three roles simultaneously played by a lawyer: a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a private citizen having a special responsibility for the quality of justice.7 …
Personal Values And Professional Ethics, Geoffrey C. Hazard Jr.
Personal Values And Professional Ethics, Geoffrey C. Hazard Jr.
Cleveland State Law Review
My purpose on this occasion is to urge reexamination of personal values as a fundamental resource of professional ethics. The essential point is that rules of ethics, such as those embodied in the profession's ethical codes, are insufficient guides to making the choices of action that a professional must make in practice. I will suggest that the same is true of professional tradition and conventional ways of practice. This is not to say that rules of ethics and traditions are irrelevant. Rules of professional ethics frame the ethical problems that are encountered in a lawyer's life throughout practice. Moreover, professional …
Professional Ethics Opinion 89-3, Attorney Responsibility To Disabled Or Dysfunctional Client, David F. Forte
Professional Ethics Opinion 89-3, Attorney Responsibility To Disabled Or Dysfunctional Client, David F. Forte
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
When an attorney files suit on behalf of a client and later has reason to believe the client is incompetent, what should the attorney do? Can the case be settled? Can the attorney move for the appointment of a guardian ad litem? The article is an excerpt from an ethics opinion which answers these questions.
Ethics And The Settlement Of Civil Rights Cases: Can Attorneys Keep Their Virtue And Their Fees?, Lloyd B. Snyder
Ethics And The Settlement Of Civil Rights Cases: Can Attorneys Keep Their Virtue And Their Fees?, Lloyd B. Snyder
Law Faculty Articles and Essays
The Civil Rights Attorneys' Fees Award Act of 1976 authorizes an award of fees to the prevailing party in a civil rights action. The United State Supreme Court, in Evans v. Jeff D., has interpreted the Fees Act to authorize the parties in a civil rights action to negotiate settlement of fees and merits jointly. The Court did not determine whether joint fees-merits negotiation is ethical. The author of this article contends that joint negotiation is ethical. He further contends that it is ethical for plaintiff's attorney to reject an offer of settlement if the offer is coupled with a …
Love, Professional Responsibility, The Rule Of Law, And Clinical Legal Education, Steven H. Leleiko
Love, Professional Responsibility, The Rule Of Law, And Clinical Legal Education, Steven H. Leleiko
Cleveland State Law Review
The primary purpose of this article is to explore the tensions which arise in persons who come to law school because they view the practice of law as an expression of their love and concern for people. In examining the underlying causes of these tensions, six related factors will be looked at: (1) the relationship between the values of traditional legal education and the support or lack of support which these values afford to the affective characteristics of students; (2) the role of one's job as a means of expressing love; (3) the role of job satisfaction in one's life; …
Split Loyalty: An Ethical Problem For The Criminal Defense Lawyer, Gerald S. Gold
Split Loyalty: An Ethical Problem For The Criminal Defense Lawyer, Gerald S. Gold
Cleveland State Law Review
Nowhere in law do ethical considerations play a greater part or come into greater conflict than in the defense of those accused of crime. The lawyer defending an accused owes a duty to his client, a duty to society, and a duty to the court. The duties to each are not completely clear and when the various loyalties conflict, fair, safe, and moral resolutions are most difficult.