Does a lawyer have to compromise morals? -

I m considering going into law, either as a lawyer or a paralegal. I really like law and my train of thought is the one thing needed to be known today is the law. I have seen a lot of lawyers compromise their morals and beliefs for their jobs, now I know this is mostly a personal issue, but how does it come about and what can be done to stop it from starting? Thanks!

I practice transactional law (real estate related) and there are occasions when I feel pressure to do things I know are at least marginally wrong. One of the hardest things to do for a new lawyer is to tell a client that they re wrong, or to otherwise have to give them the answer they don t want to hear. Some people will insist that a quot;goodquot; lawyer, or a more aggressive lawyer would find a way to produce the result they want, and it s sometimes tough to stand your ground. I ve lost a few clients like this, but on balance, most people will respect your advice. It s really up to you where you draw the line. Just as an aside, despite the reputation, some of the most ethical and admirable people I ve had the pleasure to meet and work with are attorneys. Of course, there are jerks out there too, but like anything else in life, your core principles are up to you, and practicing law won t change that.

I do not have to compromise my beliefs in order to do my job. I guess that you are asking about the criminal context, or representing nasty people. I am not my client. I may believe that my client is thoroughly reprehensible, but that does not affect my duty. Ethically, I am bound to use my best efforts on behalf of my client. There have been times where I really hope I lose, but that doesn t mean I try less. I see similar things all the time. The store clerk does not evaluate the moral position of the customer. He just does his job.

A lawyer does not necessarily have to compromise his or her morals as in any other profession. As you say yourself, it is a personal decision to decide where to draw the line. How it comes about- it depends on what type of law you plan on practicing. Some fields call for more moral considerations, while other more staid fields require noticeably less. I think the best way is to take a step back and consider- is the end worth the means?