Ensuring our success in an uncertain future.

• Author: Abadin, Ramon A.
• Position: Florida Bar - President's page

Leaps in technology. Disruptions in our business models. Competition from legal-services providers on the Internet. Young lawyers who are struggling. Huge gaps in our citizens' access to civil justice.

Changing the rules that handcuff lawyers can ease some of these problems. Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by technology will help, too.

However, though technology at times seems to be turning justice into a commodity, the rule of law is not a fast food to be dished out as quickly as possible. We can't put up a marquee saying "6 billion served" and congratulate ourselves on a job well done.

What separates lawyers from most other professions--and what will distinguish us and ensure our continuing success in an uncertain future--is professionalism.

Professionalism covers the wide range of attributes that make a lawyer a lawyer. The Florida Bar offers members six pages of "expectations" for professionalism, as well as a "Creed of Professionalism." County and state bar associations, as well as the ABA, have written codes of professionalism.

Perhaps The Florida Bar's Standing Committee on Professionalism says it best: "Professionalism is the pursuit and practice of the highest ideals and tenets of the legal profession. It embraces far more than simply complying with the minimal standards of professional conduct. The essential ingredients of professionalism are character, competence, commitment, and civility."

That's all well and good. But how do we meet that lofty goal in the 21st century? And, just as important, how will it help us survive and thrive?

Today, lawyers are drawn into an integrated workplace, pooling our talents with nonlawyers to serve the same customers. But those in other professions may not share the values that have become part of the lawyer's DNA. We can't abandon those values, but instead must strive to educate others and make our ethical foundation part of any collaboration.

While everyone is rushing to do more in less time, professionalism calls on us to hit the brakes.

We need to find the time to be counselors, not just attorneys. Experienced lawyers must be mentors, reaching out to young lawyers struggling with debt and the overwhelming demands of our profession. (As a bonus, older lawyers can learn from them about emerging technologies.) We have to promote value and justice in our work, and emphasize public service. We must work to expand access to justice.

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