The Lawyers' Social Contract: The Ethical Ties That Bind the Legal Profession.

The article examines the evolution and importance of the ethical "social contract" within the legal profession, tracing its development from the early informal standards to the formalized ethical codes and duties that govern modern lawyers' conduct. It discusses the historical context of legal ethics, the establishment of professional codes such as the American Bar Association's Model Rules, and the crucial duties lawyers owe to clients, courts, and opposing parties.