Advises reading professionals on how to approach legal testimony as an expert witness. (AEA)

The conceptions of legal ethics or professional responsibility as (1) disciplinary rules or codes; and (2) as the personal moralities of individual lawyers prevail. However, it is the application of general norms to specific circumstances through complex, creative judgment that is the ethical component of the ideal of legal professionalism. (MSE)

Reviews the July 1984 "Smith v. Robinson" United States Supreme Court decision that denied payment of attorney fees to parents of a handicapped child who successfully pursued a discrimination suit under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142). (MD)

Presented in the form of a debate and rebuttals are both sides of the issue, first stated by Lord Brougham in 1820, of a client's legal and moral rights to his counsel's total support. It is concluded that advocacy in law does not carry some special authority or excuse the lawyer from accepting moral responsibility for his professional choices.…

Summarizes problems specific to remarrying families with children including complex kinship networks, ill defined roles, and financial and legal issues. Focuses on the family counselor's involving an attorney in services to remarrying families, with discussions of pre-marital agreements, inventories, living trust, estate planning, post-marital…

To promote a good living/learning environment, it is important for institutions to review their student discipline processes and policies regularly. Many members of the campus community may play a part in reviewing student discipline policies, including public affairs spokespeople, faculty and staff throughout the institution, student affairs…

Because law teachers model lawyering, they need to both expand their own sense of professional responsibility and challenge students' feeling that one course takes care of ethical concerns. A course in professional responsibility is more than just another course about rules. Ethical issues must be integrated into traditional substantive courses.…

Law school instruction in professional responsibility should not attempt to inculcate particular ethical values but should aim to sensitize students to the ethical dimension of the lawyer's professional role, provide insight into the nature of the legal profession, and cultivate willingness to engage in reflective judgment through traditional…

According to the American Tort Reform Association's (ATRA) survey of secondary school principals, concern about liability was cited for cutting back or terminating many activities. ATRA recommends some major legislative change including reform of the doctrine of joint and several liability, and placing limits on noneconomic and punitive damage…

An empirical study of lawyer-client interactions in one practice context illustrates the way lawyers respond to client problems and raises questions about the exercise of professional authority. It is concluded that law schools' failure to train lawyers to be sensitive and responsive has important consequences for the legal profession. (MSE)

A scholar on legal ethics responds to criticism that his views on legal advocacy are morally neutral, arguing that his approach is client centered, emphasizing the lawyer's role in enhancing the client's autonomy as a free person in a free society. He argues that the lawyer's autonomy must be respected. (MSE)

Evaluated legal representation for children in child protection proceedings, using data from a random sample of cases and attorneys in North Carolina. Results showed the attorneys, in general, produced no significant benefits for the children. Based on results, identifies particular types of effective attorneys. (NRB)

Two new American Bar Association rules can help school executives determine whether to use the board's attorney or hire their own private attorney. Various situations are cited to show the advisability of choosing one over the other. (KS)

This handbook presents a description of the New York City Mentor program. It is designed to provide guidelines for the participating schools and law firms as well as an explanation of the program for potential participants. The program pairs law firms, solo practitioners, and corporate legal departments with public high schools. Lawyers visit…

Discusses the problems posed for scientifically untrained judges and lawyers in ensuring the scientific validity of scientific evidence. Cites recent cases which indicate the results when courts do not hold expert witnesses to the standards and criteria of their own disciplines. (CW)