Verdict on American Lawyers

America's legal profession is based on ideals: on standards of education and admission to the practice, ethics regulation, a disregard for commercialism and on working on behalf of the public good.

The legal system is rooted in the belief that all should have access to justice. But Yale Law Professor and legal historian, says it's not so. The profession is hardly professional anymore. He says lawyers today are out for their own economic self-interest. They're beholden to the needs of clients, firms, corporations.

This hour On Point: America's legal profession and whether or not it's a sell-out.

Guests:

Robert W. Gordon, professor at Yale Law School and author of the article "Money! Power! Ambition Gone Awry!" for Legal Affairs magazine.