Legal ethics refers to an ethical code governing those in the practice of law. In many places, lawyers are bound by an ethical code that is enforced by self-governing bar associations, which have the authority to disbar members who engage in unethical professional behavior. American law schools are required to offer a course in professional responsibility, which encompasses both legal ethics and matters of professionalism that do not present ethical concerns.

Some philosophers, e.g., Michael Berumen, would argue that a lawyer's most important ethical obligation as a professional is his fiduciary duty, which arises out of his relationship to others and their having a reasonable basis of trust in him.

While legal codes of ethics differ from place to place, they tend to have some common statutes governing things like conflicts of interest, incompetence, bribery, coercion, communications with jurors, coaching witnesses, and so on.

External Links

• LII Law about... Professional Responsibility (Legal Ethics)