Controversies involving government, business, education, and human rights arise thousands of times daily across the United States. Lawyers have the challenge of reconciling these adverse interests and fashioning solutions that work for consumers, families, homeowners and small businesses in a legal system dominated, designed and manipulated by big business. The task for these lawyers is to untangle laws and regulations, written by special interests and for special interests, and to fashion remedies that serve the interests of people. When something goes wrong, lawyers are called upon by the damaged and the distraught to deliver remedies to make them whole. Lawyers do not bring lawsuits.
People bring lawsuits when there is no other recourse other than to our courts.
The creative and remedial efforts of lawyers are intended to benefit clients, but at the same time these same skills render a valuable public service that puts disputes to rest, brings peace between parties, order to personal affairs and provides for accountability essential in any society. In addition, the legal profession has the responsibility of assuring the fair and impartial application of the criminal law, so the innocent are protected and the guilty are punished. Those who kill, maim and rob must be punished, but at the same time where there are extenuating circumstances and justice requires moderation, lawyers advocate for alternative programs designed to change behaviors and correct long-standing dysfunctions. Aside from direct legal work for people, when you survey the history of public service by professional groups, you will find few that meet our level of commitment to the public. The legal profession coined the words 'pro bono publico' and made them the watchwords of every profession in the United States today.