Professionalism demands a higher standard of behavior than do ethical rules. Professionalism as a quality measurement has been embodied in the legal system throughout history. If we reflect on our historical basis, we find that most American statesmen were lawyers. Despite potentially adverse publicity, we lawyers have the professional duty to serve our community in leadership roles. This year the State Bar will train future leaders on how to effectively participate in local, state and federal governmental activities.
Community service brings with it professional respect.
As lawyers we can appreciate that donated legal services involve more than representing the poor and the middle class. Donated legal services can mean assisting taxpayer groups, teaching in our public schools, providing counsel to flood victims, helping a child-care provider get started, serving as a legal counselor for Boys State, arbitrating a dispute between a developer and neighborhood association, and many other valuable but uncompensated activities. Professionalism means getting involved. It means wearing your occupation on your shirt sleeve. It means never having to say you're sorry or embarrassed to be a lawyer.