The Illinois State Bar Association has found that people in focus groups are upset about the miscarriages of justice that occur in Madison County and corruption in the system, and have been motivated to take action. So are they going to clean up the system and support reform? No! Rather, they hope to have a million-dollar advertising campaign to improve the image of attorneys and engage in more market research. (Gail Applebaum, “State Bar may advertise to help lawyers”, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov. 23). In the press account, ISBA official David Anderson disingenuously argues that Madison County isn’t a judicial hellhole because of the number of medical malpractice verdicts—ignoring that the number of med-mal verdicts has nothing to do with Madison County’s deservedly poor reputation.
Illinois State Bar Association takes action
The Illinois State Bar Association has found that people in focus groups are upset about the miscarriages of justice that occur in Madison County and corruption in the system, and have been motivated to take action. So are they going to clean up the system and support reform? No! Rather, they hope to have a […]
One Comment
As a lawyer, I am all too familiar with the horrible public image of those in our profession. Rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on an advertising campaign to “improve” our image, attorneys need to reflect on how our behavior has contributed to this perception. Here are a few shining examples:
1. Histrionic behavior of attorneys in televised trials. (My favorite is the image of Johnnie Cochran wearing a knit cap on his head during argument).
2. TV commercials for PI lawyers trolling for clients with any conceivable injury. (Are you physically challenged by your unattractive appearance? You may be able to sue your parents!)
3. Attorneys-turned-tv commentators. (Harpies and blowhards need only apply.)