| I just read an article by Ryan Thompson titled “The Basics of an Uncontested Divorce.” The article was from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2008. A portion of
the article is as follows: “…Tomorrow evening, the Brooklyn Bar’s Volunteer Lawyers’ Project presents a CLE course teaching the basics of uncontested divorce… It is free for any attorney who is willing to accept a pro bono referral from the VLP… topics will include: ethical considerations, preparation, jurisdiction, grounds for divorce, preparing papers, commencing the action, service, submission and entry of judgment…” First of all, I must commend the attorneys who are working pro bono in New York or any other state because, in my opinion, it is a accolade on their characters. (I believe that the letters CLE stand for “continuing legal education” and VLP stands for “Volunteer Lawyers’ Project.”) Here is my dilemma with what I just read. Why on God’s green earth should attorneys need to go back to school to learn about “… ethical considerations…?” Shouldn’t they already be proficient in their knowledge and practice of ethical conduct? After all, isn’t the word “ethical” synonymous with the words principled, moral, fair, decent, just, right and truthful? Obviously, I am not an attorney and happily so. I have come in contact with too many attorneys who practice sans any ethical or decent moral behavior. They say one thing one moment and dictate something totally different the next moment. I believe that someplace or anyplace during the legal educational process there should be mega lessons or courses that teach the fact that ethics should and must be significant and required behavior for each and every attorney. After all, children are now taught about the birds and bees in grade school because of the fear that some parents don’t teach the children about sex at home. So by the same token, obviously all parents don’t teach their children about ethical behavior so shouldn’t some part of law school offer to teach them what they didn’t learn at home? I wonder how many questions on the LSATs or the bar exam mention ethics as being the foundation for a successful law practice. In closing, I must add that I have met four attorneys in my life that I respect beyond belief. I would place my hand on the bible to defend their ethical behavior. Oh, I forgot that that doesn’t mean much in the courts today. These attorneys practice with the attitude that, “The truth will set you free.” II will not mention the myriad of other attorneys whom I consider to be the dregs of the earth. They may be financially successful on this earth but God help them when they face their Maker. |
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