View our archives of President's Page columns. The tools we use today are quite different from those of 15 years ago. We have increasing competition, advertising, and jumbo law firms. The way we practice is obviously different. I wonder whether the actual nature of the profession has also changed significantly.
Lawyers still represent clients, and judges still preside over the resolution of disputes.
Our fundamental obligations remain the same. The changes in our tools and our methods should in theory have no effect upon these fundamental obligations. In reality, however, it may be how we practice inevitably changes everything. Adaptations we make to become more efficient certainly change our relationship with our clients. As we change our methods of practice, we should remember what we are and try to preserve, if we can, that which makes us special.