The Code of Chivalry in the Legal Profession

The collective angst expressed over the disappearance of the Code of Chivalry from the legal profession is persistent and unnecessary. The medieval Code of Chivalry never applied to the legal profession, nor was it intended to do so; a thing cannot exit from whence it never entered. According to legal historians, the legal profession that evolved into the modern American legal profession originated in 12^th Century England. Coincidentally, 12^th Century England saw its primary development of the medieval Code of Chivalry as well. The institutions of "knighthood" and the legal profession served different purposes. Early medieval knights were mercenary thugs on horseback hired by feudal warlords for protection in exchange for land and a chance to rise to nobility. They sorely needed discipline and thus developed the Code of Chivalry. With the rise of the merchant class came the demise of the feudal system; knights were no longer needed. Knighthood has evolved into honor in name only. Lawyers are not descendants of mercenary thugs. The legal profession developed from the realization that many people called before early courts needed someone to speak for them – an advocate. It is an honorable profession with loyalty to the client at its core. The title of "Counsel" must still be earned and one keeps it only by continuing to earn it. True, it has always required a disciplinary code, but that code is unique to it. If you need further convincing, I will just point out that the legal profession is alive; the Code of Chivalry is dead.

Why is this terribly truncated history lesson the subject of this column?  Other than the fact that Chairman Hank Caddell "suggested" it, because we, as lawyers, owe it to one another to promote and preserve the integrity of the profession. We owe it to society to do so as well. The core values of our profession were never meant to be left inside the courthouse. Wear the badge of honor that comes with the privilege of practicing law inside yourself, where it will remind you that you have the means to do great good. It is a fact that working toward a greater good promotes well-being and self-respect. Do not let depression or substance abuse take that privilege away - not from yourself and not from your fellow lawyers.  If we miss an opportunity to help a colleague hold on to that privilege, we lose a little self-respect.  We have all worked too hard to earn the honorable privilege of practicing law; once it is lost, it is lost forever.

Be well.