By virtue of their education and experience, lawyers have a special ability to discern the public good. Diversity of views about what it means to serve the public serves the public interest. A common understanding among lawyers of their role as public servants is unlikely to be achieved in today's complex society. The status of the legal profession would be enhanced if lawyers evinced a common understanding of their public service role. Questioning what public service means is as important to its pursuit as acting on a particular understanding of its meaning.
Lawyers best serve the public by serving their clients, one at a time.