Name-calling hurts our profession

Virtually all campaigns today include one candidate accusing the other of accepting money from “Greedy Trial Lawyers” and the other, in response, denying that he is associated with the “Greedy Trial Lawyers.” As with most campaign advertisements, it becomes unclear who is right and who is wrong, but it is clear from the advertisements that lawyers are greedy and that lawyers are bad.

What a disservice this is to a profession that donates more time, money and other resources to the community than any other. Our profession has been, and remains, at the center of every positive social change. Lawyers represent, indeed we are compelled by our oath to represent, society’s neglected, abused and forgotten citizens. We are compelled to fight not only for our paying clients but simultaneously for the system of justice to which we are duly sworn officers. Yet — the general public sees us characterized as Greedy and a group from whom politicians should be distanced.

Regrettably, not only do we do nothing about it but we throw money at the campaigns that thrive on disparaging us. Meanwhile, we bemoan the fact that our profession does not get the respect it deserves.

Some may say, “the campaigns are not demonizing all attorneys — just a certain segment.” Don’t fool yourself. The average non-lawyer does not appreciate this subtlety. We all are demonized by the slander; we all become Greedy Trial Lawyers.

How sad. How misleading. How wrong.

We are a profession that should be above being used.