Ethics in Service

"Ethics in Service" by William H. Taft is a collection of addresses focusing on the ethics of the legal profession, presented in the Page Lecture Series at Yale University in the early 20th century. The text explores the historical evolution of the legal profession and the moral responsibilities lawyers have in relation to their clients and the judicial system. Taft, drawing from his extensive experience as a lawyer and judge, advocates for an ethical framework that prioritizes justice and integrity within the law. The opening of the work introduces Taft’s perspective on the current state of the legal profession, emphasizing a crisis in public perception regarding the courts and lawyers. He discusses the historical context of legal ethics, highlighting the implications of fame and remuneration for legal advocates. By reflecting on historical examples from Jewish, Roman, and English law, Taft argues for a solid ethical foundation that reconciles the duty to clients with the obligation to the court and society. His insights set the stage for an in-depth discussion of legal ethics, aiming to address the challenges facing lawyers in their pursuit of justice. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States and the tenth chief justice of the United States, the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected president in 1908 as a Republican but was defeated for reelection in 1912 by Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft to be chief justice, a position he held until 1930.