I, do solemnly swear that I will maintain allegiance to the

Republic of the Philippines, I will support the Constitution and

obey the laws as well as the legal orders of the duly constituted
authorities therein; I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the
doing of any in court; I will not wittingly or willingly promote
or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor
consent to the same; I will delay no man for money or malice,
and will conduct myself as a lawyer according to the best of my
knowledge and discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the
courts as to my clients; and I impose upon myself these
voluntary obligations without any mental reservation or purpose
of evasion. So help me God.
Constituted authorities – respect to the courts of justice and judicial officers
Do no falsehood - maintain such actions which are right and just, only as he believes to be honestly
debatable under the law;
Not willingly promote or sue any groundless suit –employ only lawsuits which will not mislead
Delay no man for money or malice – duty of a lawyer is to administer justice, never reject the
defenseless
With all good fidelity – be professional and avoid offensive personality
No mental reservations- be bound to these obligations without
LEGAL PROFESSION – the branch of administration of justice whose main purpose is to aid in the doing
of justice, in accordance to law between State and individual, and between man and man.
-Is a mission, with the aim of administration of justice

PRINCIPLE OF DELAGATION OF POWER – congress may vest some of its power to legislate to the
President, to administrative bodies, to local government units and to people at large

*Law profession offers a wide range of opportunities be it in public service, private practice and business

*Privilege to practice law is bestowed only to persons who are competent intellectually, academically
and morally.

PITFALLS OF LEGPROF- STRESS, LONG HOURS, SOARING LAW SCHOOL DEBT, COMPETITIVE JOB
MARKET, CLIENTS AREN’T SPENDING AS MUCH, CHANGING LEGAL PARADIGMS, TECHNOLOGY, LEGAL
PROCESS OUTSOURCING, POOR PUBLIC IMAGE, YOU WONT LIKE ALL YOUR CLIENTS

LEGAL PROFESSION, LEGAL COUNSELING, LEGAL ETHICS – introduce to law students ethical and moral
obligations of a lawyer

PROFESSION – refers to a group of men, pursuing a learned art of common calling in the spirit of public
service

IDEAS involved in PROFESSION

Organization – association of persons practicing the profession of law
Learning – professions are learned not only in the nature of the art professed but also its cultural and
ideal side
Spirit of public service – a profession aims at the exercise of powers beneficial to mankind

STANDARDS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Independence – a lawyer owes his entire devotion and loyalty to his client, but devotion and loyalty
within the bounds of honor
- A lawyer must get immersed in his client’s case, but not get drowned in his clients
cause.
Accessibility – legal services must be available to all, and at the earliest possible time
- While there is preventive medicine, there is also preventive legal counsel
Learning - Emergence of new laws and materials because of an ever-changing society

ATTORNEY– one who aids in administration of justice

- Refers to a class of persons who by license are constituted officers of the courts of
justice
- A man set apart by the laws of the land relating to high interest of property liberty
and life
- Reserved to those who obtained the necessary degree of the study of law, taken
the Bar examinations and admitted to the IBP and remain members of good
standing
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW– a quasi-officer of the court subject to regulation
Black Law’s Dictionary – widely used law dictionary in the United States
Practice of law – the rendition of services, requiring the knowledge and application of legal principles
and techniques to serve a client with his consent

CRITERIA FOR THE PRACTICE OF LAW

1. HABITUALITY – practice of law implies customarily or habitually holding oneself out to the
public as a lawyer
2. COMPENSATION – practice of law implies that one must have presented himself that his
professional services are available to the public for compensation, as source of his livelihood
*All actions or advice given with matters concerning law in exchange of compensation falls in
practice of law.
3. Application of law, legal principle, practice, or procedure which calls for legal knowledge,
training and experience is within the term “practice of law”.
4. Attorney-client relationship – if a law takes activity which requires his knowledge of law but
has no attorney-client relationship, (teaching law or writing books or articles) he cannot be said
to engage in practice as a lawyer

Modern concept of practice of law – any activity in or out of court, which requires the application of
law, legal procedure, knowledge, training and experience.

Practice of law – rendition of services requiring the knowledge and application of legal principles
techniques to serve interest of another with his consent.

1. Lawyers teaching law subjects

2. Exercise of powers and functions of a public office (involving administering oaths and
affirmations, and investigating human rights complaints)
3. Suspended lawyer acting as attorney in fact
4. Filing pleadings and appearing before the courts.

ATTORNEY - Reserved to those who obtained the necessary degree of the study of law, taken the Bar
examinations and admitted to the IBP and remain members of good standing

Not a practice:
1. Mere records of realty to ascertain what they may disclose without giving any opinion or advice
as to the legal effects of what they may be found
2. Ordinary preparation and drafting of legal instruments not involving the determination of a
trained legal mind of the legal effects of facts and conditions
3. Acts not involving the use of skill and intellect by a legal mind trained and schooled in a legal
school
4. Clerical labor filling in the blanks of stereotyped form or mechanical act of copying from a file
copy or finished document not involving a legal thing