The Legal Profession
Abstract
This chapter examines the character of the legal profession and the social forces shaping it. It begins with a historical background of law, with an emphasis on the professionalization of lawyers and the evolution of the legal profession in America. Next, the chapter focuses on the legal profession today, including the kinds of legal practice and the competition among lawyers for business. The chapter then turns to legal services for indigent people and to law schools and legal education. The chapter concludes with some comments on bar admission, bar associations as interest groups, and professional discipline.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Legal Education and Practice Innovations
Artificial Intelligence in Law
Occupational and Professional Licensing Regulation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Law and Society
- Pages
- 240–278
- Publication date
- 8 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter