Attorneys. Barristers. Lawyers. Scum of the Earth. These are a few of the synonyms and attributes that the Legal Professional has to deal with on a daily basis. Enacted by the American Bar Association, more specifically the Law Practice Division, “Love Your Lawyer Day” was constructed for specific reasons that basically state that the public is unhappy with the legal community and wants to sever their heads from their cabinets (and bodies).
As a forewarning, I acknowledge that I am biased in favor of the legal profession because that is my aspiration. I do feel that the industry is stigmatized to be the worse people in the world; however, in reality, self-serving bias is displayed when clients lose cases. A severe hatred is developed towards the opposition because inherently our court system is an adversarial system. There is a reason why it’s called the “opposition”! According to the American Bar Association, “Lawyers have consistently been the target of verbal bashing, derogatory portrayals”. Have mercy on Atticus Finch!
Let it be known, that according to a 2014 Gallup survey, the approval rating for the profession is at an all-time low of 21% which means that instead of bonus checks in their stockings they will be getting coal from the tears of unsatisfied families and imprisoned innocents. Did you know that lawyers apparently are portrayed very negative, which in turn promotes a negative viewpoint of lawyers in society?
There is still hope for the profession. Established by the Article III of the United States Constitution, the Judicial Branch has the capacity to determine how courts function and other small details. Attorneys are powerful individuals that can determine the fate, sanity, and life of an individual in more ways than you think. Of course not every Lawyer is perfect – Prosecutors are often attributed with prosecutorial misconduct due to the immense power they have in the criminal process. What I am saying is, could we look through the lens of the women and men in suits who have gone through the Law School of Debt in order to advance society? Take the time to thank your Lawyer and professionals all around the world.
You may never know when you might need a lawyer like Annalise Keating.
