Cause Lawyering: Political Commitments and Professional Responsibilities

Why do some lawyers devote themselves to a given social movement or political cause? How are such commitments justified, given the ideals of disinterested professional service to which lawyers are (in theory, at least) supposed to adhere? What can we learn from such lawyers about the relationship between law and politics? Cause Lawyering is a varied and provocative collection of responses to these questions, featuring the work of several distinguished legal scholars. These essays explore the relationship between cause lawyering and the organized legal professions of many different countries: Brazil, England, Indonesia, Israel, South Africa, and the U.S., among others. They describe the utility of law as a resource in political struggles and, conversely, highlight the constraints under which lawyers operate when they turn to politics. Some provide broad theoretical overviews, others present rich case studies, and all will appeal to students and professionals interested in law and society.