On Nov. 9, Bruce Green, Oppenheim Professor of Antitrust and Trade Regulation Law at Fordham Law School, will speak at Akron Law as a part of the Joseph G. Miller and William C. Becker Center for Professional Responsibility’s annual Distinguished Lecturer Series. One hour of free CLE credit will be offered.
The U.S. legal profession often speaks of lawyers’ “professional independence,” but it uses the term in different ways depending on the context. Sometimes “professional independence” refers to the freedom of the organized bar, in collaboration with state judiciaries, to make rules for lawyers without interference by government agencies or other state actors. Sometimes the term refers to individual lawyers’ independence – whether from third parties who threaten to interfere with lawyers’ loyalty to their clients or from clients who demand too much loyalty. Professor Green explored whether the bar overemphasizes these aspects of “professional independence” while overlooking and undervaluing another, namely, lawyers’ independence from judges and courts. 
“Professor Bruce Green is an internationally renowned scholar and leader in the professional responsibility field,” says Professor Jack Sahl, Faculty Director of the Miller-Becker Center. “Bruce’s many accomplishments underscore his tireless commitment to improving the delivery of legal services and increasing access to justice. What is not readily apparent from his many accomplishments is Bruce’s extraordinary support for others whether as a mentor to a junior colleague or just letting you know he’s thinking of you at an important moment. He is truly a lawyer statesman who will inspire others during his visit.” Continue reading “”