January 09, 2007

Norm Pattis reveals that I am not alone in thinking that there are some distinct advantages to the professional separation of barristers from solicitors as seen in Britain. He concentrates on the effects of specialization on competence and job satisfaction, but there are also reasons to think that barristers, by standing in a position of greater independence from the client, might be better able to respect professional norms, and in particular, might be better able to resist improper pressures to "win at any cost".