Description

Fair Fight: Legal Ethics for Litigators Susan R Martyn ISBN 9781641055680

The practice of law can appear straightforward, yet it often presents complex challenges. Lawyers earn fees by representing clients, but their advocacy is bound by legal and ethical limits—a concept often referred to as "fighting fair." Effective representation requires zeal tempered by adherence to the rules governing the profession.

A lawyer’s conduct, both in litigation and beyond, is governed by multiple layers of law: each jurisdiction’s Rules of Professional Conduct, common law principles such as agency and malpractice law, selected statutes like fee-shifting provisions, and procedural rules such as the Rules of Civil Procedure. A lawyer’s license, reputation, and livelihood depend on a thorough understanding of these rules as applied in their jurisdiction. Violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct can result in disciplinary action, including disbarment, suspension, fines, or public and private reprimands.

This book explores both the ethics of trial practice and broader professional obligations outside the courtroom. It addresses responsibilities common to all representations, including duties to clients and the boundaries imposed by law. Additionally, it provides guidance on litigation-specific matters, covering pleadings, answers, motion practice, depositions, settlement, and appeals, offering lawyers a comprehensive resource for navigating ethical and procedural challenges in practice.

Fair Fight: Legal Ethics for Litigators Susan R Martyn ISBN 9781641055680, 978-1641055680 & 9781641055697

Authors
Lawrence J Fox
Susan R Martyn