Legal ethics refers to an ethical code governing those in the practice of law. In many places, lawyers are bound by an ethical code that is enforced by self-governing bar associations, which have the authority to discipline (up to and including disbarment) members who engage in unethical professional behavior. American law schools are required to offer a course in professional responsibility, which encompasses both legal ethics and matters of professionalism that do not present ethical concerns.

While legal codes of ethics differ from place to place, they tend to have some common statutes governing things like conflicts of interest, incompetence, bribery, coercion, communications with jurors, coaching witnesses, and so on.

References

• No Contest: Corporate Lawyers and the Perversion of Justice in America, by Ralph Nader and Wesley J. Smith. ISBN 0375752587

External links

• LII Law about... Professional Responsibility (Legal Ethics)
• The Legal Information Institute at Cornell University (U.S.)

Legal ethics