Students as Teachers, Teachers as Learners

Judge Edwards divides his analysis of the cause of the crisis in ethical lawyering into an overview and three parts. The overview and first two parts deal mainly with the role of law schools and legal curriculum in what he views as the deterioration of responsible, capable practitioners. This article takes issue with some of the assumptions, analyses, and conclusions those sections contain. The third part of Edwards’ article analyzes the role of law firms in causing that same deterioration. This article agrees with and will elaborate upon that part of Edwards’ treatment.

We approach Judge Edwards’ article, we hope, with the respect due a thoughtful piece of work by an honored member of the profession. When our positions conflict with or criticize his, we intend that our message be not divisive, dismissive, or final, but rather that it be an indication of our desire to carry on constructive dialogue with those who, like Judge Edwards and ourselves, care deeply about the disposition of the legal world.