SC Lawyer, July 2008, #4. Professionalism and Reporting Misconduct of Other Lawyers.

• Author: By Nathan M. Crystal

South Carolina Lawyer

Ethics Columns.

SC Lawyer, July 2008, #4.

Professionalism and Reporting Misconduct of Other Lawyers

South Carolina LawyerJuly 2008Professionalism and Reporting Misconduct of Other LawyersBy Nathan M. Crystal Professionalism is a frequently discussed topic these days: What does professionalism mean? Why has an emphasis on professionalism become necessary? What roles should law schools, the courts, and the bar play in promoting professionalism?

Fortunately, in South Carolina we have a number of institutions and individuals who do much more than talk about professionalism. Rob Wilcox, Associate Dean at the USC School of Law, assisted by Sharon Williams, directs the nationally recognized Nelson Mullins Center on Professionalism. The Center has hosted two national conferences on professionalism issues, sponsors a Web site, and is conducting empirical research with a focus on mentoring. For almost two decades Pam Robinson has been directing USC's award winning pro bono program, one of the largest voluntary programs in the country. The Charleston School of Law was founded on a commitment to professionalism and public service. Elizabeth McCullough directs the school's externship program, which provides students with a wide range of experiences, including many that involve public service.

Any reference to professionalism in this state would be incomplete without mentioning my colleague, John Freeman. John's service to the bar in this state is legendary: For more than 35 years he taught professional responsibility and related subjects at the USC School of Law, profoundly affecting the thinking of a large segment of the bar. John was the first chair of the Supreme Court's Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency and has served on the state's Judicial Merit Selection Commission for many years. During the last 16 years he has written the Ethics Watch column for this magazine. John's articles have identified significant recent developments and have provided the bar with his unerring good judgment and practical advice. For me personally, these articles are much more. Anyone who knows John and reads his articles understands that the articles are not just his work-they are John, written with passion, with wit, and with insight into human nature, both good and bad. John has a distinctive voice that is heard by...