4 stereotypes about attorneys

Let’s face it – attorneys, as a profession, have a less than desirable reputation. Between the TV shows that depict attorneys as greedy, backstabbing, wheeling and dealing ambulance chasers, and the bad attorney jokes, some people have developed a negative opinion of attorneys.

Some of more common stereotypes about attorneys are:

  • 1. They’re never available
  • 2. They’re overly aggressive
  • 3. They are greedy
  • 4. They can get away with anything

Unfortunately, it’s hard for people to get past their opinion of lawyers as being untrustworthy and unethical. But the truth is that the majority of attorneys are honorable, diligent, endeavor to be ethical and professional, and will represent the interest of their clients. 

Are they all true?

Earning a law degree provides individuals with a solid foundation when it comes to critical thinking, professional ethics, problem solving, and good research skills. But, getting a law degree – typically the “Juris Doctor”– from an accredited law school is just the first prerequisite to becoming a practicing attorney. 

Becoming a practicing attorney not only involves a rigorous course of study, but it also involves studying and preparing for and then taking the bar exam which, in some states, has a passing rate of about 40%. It’s a tough test.

However, before writing and passing the bar exam, aspiring attorneys must write and pass an ethics exam known as the MPRE – Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam – which is a prerequisite for taking the bar exam in all but three U.S. jurisdictions.

While most practicing attorneys are good attorneys, maintaining ethical and professional standards in their practice of the law, there are, unfortunately, those bad attorneys that reinforce the stereotypes about attorneys as a result of their unethical, unprofessional, or illegal activities.

What to do if your attorney goes too far

Some of the attorney stereotypes may actually be signs that you may want to fire your attorney and hire a new one. Some legitimate reasons to think about finding a new attorney include:

  • You can never get in touch with them
  • Filing the wrong paperwork or filing it incorrectly
  • Missing deadlines for filing important legal documents
  • Making decisions that could affect the outcome of your case without consulting you

If you feel that your attorney has been negligent in handling your case or that there was misconduct on the part of your attorney, you may have a claim for legal malpractice if either or both of these factors had a direct bearing on the outcome of your case. 

Scott S. Harris, San Diego legal malpractice attorney, has more than 30 years of experience helping victims of legal malpractice. Contact our office to schedule a free initial consultation.