How to be a Lawyer with Integrity

Practice Law with Integrity. What is integrity? Integrity is more than honesty. Integrity is a conclusion that others reach when your words, actions and values are aligned. For example, honesty is a value. Most people, of course, want to be perceived as honest. If your goal is to win, even if it means lying, cheating, or stealing, you may win in the short term, but you will not win in the long term and your reputation will suffer. Most attorneys are not that blatant. Some attorneys will shade the truth just enough to defeat summary judgment or answer interrogatories vaguely. Do those attorneys win in the short run? Sometimes. Do their adversaries recognize what is happening and remember? Of course. You do not want to develop this type of reputation. Once tainted, your reputation is difficult to re-establish.