This presentation introduces the concept of the modern attorney and the characteristics and circumstances which have given rise to this concept.

1. PART 1A
THE MODERN ATTORNEY

2. 1. Traditional Practice and Skills
2. The Changing Environment
 International
 Regional and Local
3. The Modern Attorney
Additional Reading and References in Part 1 of
Remedies Manual

3. The Traditional Attorney
Deriving from the CLE’s vision and mission, the following
ideals have been articulated for the Caribbean lawyer:
 High standards of personal integrity and ethical behaviour;
 Commitment to social justice and the rule of law;
 Acceptance of professional responsibility to clients and
society;
 Belief in the importance of research and scholarship to the
evolution of legal practice and policy;
 Intellectual and professional excellence.

4. Traditional Attorney - Fundamental
Characteristics
Knowledge:
 Fundamental principles of substantive law;
 The structure and process of the administration of justice;
 Social forces and the relationship between society and the
law;
 Philosophy;
 Procedure, practice and rules of court;
 Code of ethics;
 Current judicial decisions; and
 Solid legal techniques.

5. Traditional Attorney - Fundamental
Characteristics
Skills:
Advocacy Analytical reasoning
Problem solving Legal writing
Research Critical thinking
Teamwork Communication
Leadership Mediation
Negotiation

6. Traditional Attorney - Fundamental
Characteristics
Attitudes and Values:
• Ethical behaviour • Professionalism
• Commitment • Team player
• Self-reflection • Tolerance
• Integrity • Empathy
• Courtesy • Humility
• Objectivity • Diligence
• Service • Hunger for knowledge

7. The Changing Environment
 Increased Competition;
 Clients more concerned about solution-oriented resolution to
disputes and not about litigation (too expensive);
 Rise of Alternative Dispute Resolution;
 Complexity of modern life leading to broader scope for
specialisation;
 Globalisation and Internationalisation;
 Technology in both communication

8. The Modern Attorney - Characteristics
He must be:
 Aware that the public have a variety of options to choose
from when it comes to legal services due to the increased
supply of lawyers and access to information – including
online public education;
 The public is more educated and discerning and want value
for money;
 The dynamics of the lawyer/client relationship is changing
based on the rapid democratisation of information made
possible by globalisation and technology;
 Local and Global.

9. The Modern Attorney - Skills
He must be:
 Client-driven and focussed;
 Technology literate. See blog at www.caribbeanlawtech.wordpress.com;
 Flexible, adaptable and knowledgeable in a variety of fields;
 (as far as possible) a subject-area specialist;
 Solution-oriented in a cost-effective manner even when it may not be
immediately advantageous;
 Environmentally-aware (socially, politically, legally – on both the
domestic and international fronts)
For more information on the challenges facing the legal profession, see
discussion at www.timetochangecaribbean.wordpress.com