Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kuros]

I am curious as to how widespread this phenomenon is.

I am also interested to know whether this is a particularly American phenomenon.

I am interested in hearing people's opinions as to when and why they began to hate lawyers.

[On the other hand]

No. For the most part, if you don't like what a lawyer is doing, the problem is not the lawyer himself, but the law that the lawyer is appealing to to in order to make his case. Or, the judge or jury who agrees to the lawyers interpretation of that law.

[Gopher]

Every culture produces unique variants on such themes. In the American context, it began with Nixon and Watergate and not with tort-related actions.

[Ya-ta Boy]

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"--although this is said by someone plotting to overthrow the government, it does reflect a common attitude.

I don't hate lawyers. Many of the minds I most admire are lawyers, Oliver Wendell Holmes being one example. I do think some lawyers would benefit from more ethics classes in law school, but then I think that would be a good idea for everyone else, too.

Where I part company with lawyers is when things get overly legalistic--when a missing comma invalidates a document. There should be some room for common sense in the common law. This is where the 'let's kill all the lawyers' attitude seems to come into play. I think most people get frustrated with lawyers at this point.

Another common complaint about the law profession I share with many is that they have created a monopoly for themselves and then charge money for access to justice. Legal protection should not be expensive. It should be a human right.

The other day I made a joke post about suing Kellogg's. There is too much truth to the idea that if I had a real case, Kellogg's could hire enough lawyers to stall the case until I'm dead. This should not be possible.

In short, there are failings in the legal profession that justifiably irritate people, including me, but no, I don't hate lawyers.

[Gopher]

Incidentally, apparently I am the only one who voted "no" on this poll. Hating people through the prism of a class -- professional trade; socioeconomic class; race, ethnicity, nationality, etc. -- is for simpletons. Reducing "lawyers" to a monolithic bloc and talking about "what lawyers think," etc. makes about as much sense to me as the moron who tried to tell me that he knew what "the rest of the world" thought about the current American elections...

In any case, here is more on how and why this emerged in the American context:

[Kuros]

[Kuros]

[Gopher]

[moosehead]

[Kuros]

[Gopher]

[Czarjorge]

This board is full of wannabe lawyers, just read one of the threads. How could an overwhelming consensus hate lawyers?

[thepeel]

I do not hate lawyers. We all do the jobs we picked.

My uncle (a lawyer) says one of the best reasons to become a lawyer is so that you never have to deal with one.

[Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee]

If you want justice go to a w h o r e house.

If you want to get F**ked go to court.

[wannago]

I know I've railed about lawyers several times, but I will say this: I really have no problem with criminal lawyers at all. I see them as a necessary part of the system. If you are charged with a crime and have no money, there are public defenders available.

I do, however, despise civil lawyers. If a normal person is slapped with some civil lawsuit and has no money to pay a lawyer, they are screwed. Your only option apart from paying someone exorbitant amounts of money to walk you through the proceedings, is to represent yourself. Few people have the time or expertise to do that. Basically, you pay or you will get railroaded. I have a real problem with someone who makes their living from someone else's misery charging upwards of $250+/hour. Lawyers have set up their own club in civil matters and the price to play the game in their club is very steep.