I'm interested in the law. I'm in college and I'm interested in becoming a lawyer, but everyone tells me its only a profession for liars. Is lawyering really a dishonest profession?
Answer:
I agree, there is no more dishonesty in the profession of law than in any other field. (Read case law and jury verdicts.) The study and practice of law will teach you to look for the "evidence for a conclusion" and the "evidence contrary to a conclusion." To this end, you must determine "what is the evidence for the conclusion that law is 'a profession for liars'?" Is there evidence that "everyone" or even most people who enter the field of law are liars? What is this evidence? Ask "everyone" how they have this knowledge and what are the specific facts and resources upon which they rely. I have not talked to one person, ever, who was well read in case law and evidence, who could support his/her opinion that law is 'a profession for liars.' (I have talked to people who believe medicine, sales, and accounting are professions for liars. It is always interesting to hear people's opinions and inquire into their thinking.)
On the other hand, is there evidence contrary to the conclusion that all lawyers are liars? Are there lawyers who help people, and who pride themselves in the pursuit of civil justice? The answer is yes, there are many. You may want to read some cases: read the actual McDonalds case where the woman was burned with coffee...and then ask people what they think. You will find that almost none of them know the evidence and none know the interesting issues and facts of that case. If they did, they would be horrified at McDonalds. (Go to your local law library and ask the reference librarian to help you find the case. As a general premise, they love to help the public find cases, and often are willing to discuss cases when time permits.). In addition, please interview lawyers: call them up and tell them why you are calling. Talk to attorneys who represent the Plaintiff who sue large corporations. Most of the law schools will let you sit in on a class. Contact a local law school and ask if you can sit in on a class for a week. Go to legal aide in your state and ask to interview a lawyer. You will find tremendous sympathy from most of the lawyers who work hard for truth and justice, and love their careers. They will most likely be very open to discuss those few "liars"- liars who are out there for sure, but not exclusively in law. In all professions. (Look at the role of Kaiser doctors and Kaiser hospitals denying patients benefits and medical treatment that is needed just to increase physician and Kaiser profits. Still, not all Kaiser doctors are involved in this ethical and moral horror.) You will also find that lawyers do more pro bono work (free and volunteer work) than any other profession (and you will find that they have clients who are deeply grateful for changing the course of their (the client's life) and that the career of law is deeply personally (and financially) satifsying, with the disappointments that are part of this field, such as, justice does not always prevail. You may want to take a logic course at college so that you can analyze the logic or arguments in general (because law requires tremendous vigilance and personal ethics despite the opinion of others); and take a philosophy course in law and ethics (ask your academic counselor.) Most colleges and universities have a pre-law society and a pre-law advisor.
There are some lawyers who are dishonest, and there are many professions where there is dishonesty. Law has no more than any other profession. It is well regulated (see sources) and there are alot of brilliant, ethical people in this profession. It is great that you are asking questions and seeking information. Many people do not do this before they enter a profession. You may want to work as a "case assistant" or paralegal, or even a volunteer in a law firm to determine if this is a field for you. Inquiring minds such as yours do well in the field of law. Good luck in your pursuit of truth and justice.
Everybody hates lawyers, until they need one.
Don't let people who don't know what they're talking about make you give up your goals.
Lawyers per se are no more or less dishonest than any other professional group. The very few "ambulance chasers"
who are always in the headlines give the rest of us a bad name.
As for getting guilty people to go free, well, if anyone is ever unfortunate enough to fall victim to the criminal court system, especially those two who have responded to this question, tell me then how dishonest you think lawyers are.
Because then, the only thing standing between you and a long stay at the "GrayBar Hotel" will be an overworked underpaid public attorney who will do their damndest to get a
good result for you, despite having 175 other cases going on at the same time.
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