Are they OK when lawyers do them? Such at least is the view attributed to one law school ethics expert [Daniel Fisher/Forbes]
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The article basically says its okay because a lawyer’s job is to make money for the client, which fails on two counts. Accepting that premise would mean unethical behavior should be acceptable for any profession as long as the company they work for makes money. Second, unless there is no contingency fee, the lawyer actions would result in self enrichment.
Ms. Langford’s attempt to equate Donziger’s actions with choosing which of three experts to testify is laughably weak.
Acts “that in other contexts might seem unethical or even dishonest” are in fact unethical or even dishonest.
@Smart Dude: Really? I’d consider it unethical for me or most others to defend the actual criminal behavior of any Joe off the street. Defense attorneys are required by duty and law to do so, regardless of Joe’s actual guilt.
I do not think defense attorneys are required by duty to “defend the actual criminal behavior” of anyone. They are required to defend the accused person – the defendant – , either by showing that he isn’t a criminal, or – if he indeed is a criminal – by showing the jury that there were mitigating circumstances. The attorney is defending the murderer, not the murder.
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