The professionalism of practising law: A comparison across work contexts

• Published in: Journal of organizational behavior 2008-11, Vol.29 (8), p.1021-1047
• Main Authors: Wallace, Jean E., Kay, Fiona M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attorneys; Autonomy; Business structures; Collaboration; Commercial law; Comparative analysis; Corporate culture; Government services; Law firms; Law schools; Lawyer client communication; Lawyers; Legal practice; Organizational behavior; Professionalism; Professionals; Profits; Studies; Work environment
• ISSN: 0894-3796; 1099-1379
• DOI: 10.1002/job.554

Traditionally, the literature assumed that solo practitice best exemplifies the ideal professional work arrangement and that when professionals become salaried employees their professionalism is seriously threatened. The primary goal of this paper is to examine lawyers' sense of professionalism across two work contexts: solo practitioner offices and law firm settings. We also examine status distinctions within law firms, between associates and partners, and compare both to independent practitioners. Solo practitioners and law firm partners are similar on most key dimensions of professionalism, whereas the greatest contrasts occur between partners and associates within law firms. Partners and solo practitioners share similar experiences of autonomy and service as owner-managers, whereas partners and associates share greater collegiality among professionals, perhaps fostered through law firm cultures. All three groups report comparable amounts of variety in their work and are equally committed to the practice of law. The key factors that account for gaps in professionalism reflect the nature of law practices, primarily through time spent with corporate clients and pressure to generate profits. We conclude that different versions of lawyers' professionalism are influenced by the everyday aspects of their work and one version is not necessarily more professional than the other.