His article is reprinted by permission from the June 1999 issue of the Georgia Bar Journal . We are not hired guns in a cheap western shootout. Judges must also respect lawyers. Of course not, and you can bet those jurors will share their experiences with all their friends and neighbors. On the other hand, if the judge treats the attorneys with respect, that judge will send a strong message that attorneys should also be respected by the jury.
Judges require respect from attorneys.
To improve our standing with the public we must market ourselves. Lawyers and the legal system have been attacked by some of the slickest media campaigns that can be produced. Because some of our fellow lawyers use distasteful ads, we have to a large degree refused to use one of the basic tools of good public relations. Because we are so busy we have not taken the time to let our own clients know when they are obtaining quality and value from us. Because we are busy, we have not volunteered to speak to civic clubs and schools.