Also known as: long robes · men of the long robe · legal profession
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A traditional designation for the legal profession.
Luna Lang, admitted only in State B, opens a full-time office in State A and negotiates contracts for Horizon Apps clients there. Members of the long robe in State A file a grievance because she maintains a systematic presence without local admission. The disciplinary authority sanctions her for practicing law in violation of State A regulation of the profession.
Lorenzo Lugo, a member of the long robe, volunteers with a bar committee drafting legislation to expand access to counsel in civil cases. He logs the hours as participation in activities improving the legal system. The bar recognizes the service when evaluating his annual pro bono contribution.
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Lars Lindstrom, counsel for a physician group, files suit arguing that a state ban on physician-assisted suicide violates substantive due process. The long robe litigates the case through the Supreme Court, which upholds the statute after finding no fundamental right. The decision shapes how members of the profession advise clients on end-of-life planning.
Latoya Lane, a member of the long robe representing a corporate defendant, prepares interview memoranda for anticipated litigation. When opposing counsel seeks the notes, the court protects them under the work-product doctrine. The ruling confirms that materials prepared by the long robe in anticipation of suit receive qualified immunity from discovery.
Lamar Lewis, counsel for publishers, defends a federal statute extending copyright terms against a challenge that it violates the Copyright Clause. The long robe argues successfully that Congress acted within its power. The Court upholds the extension, allowing members of the profession to continue advising clients on longer-term licensing deals.
Lola Langley, a member of the long robe representing minority shareholders, sues a controlling director for diverting a corporate opportunity. The court imposes liability after finding the director breached fiduciary duties. The decision guides how the long robe structures corporate transactions to avoid self-dealing claims.
Yes. A felony tax evasion conviction reflects adversely on honesty and fitness because it involves deliberate deception of the government about income. The disciplinary authority may impose sanctions regardless of whether client money was touched.
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Yes. A lawyer who knows of judicial conduct that raises a substantial question about fitness must report it. The duty arises from the seriousness of the proposed exchange, not from whether any ruling actually followed.
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Yes. Systematic and continuous representation of clients in a state where the lawyer is not admitted constitutes unauthorized practice. Remote location does not excuse the violation when the work is directed at matters in the unlicensed jurisdiction.
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Yes. Assisting an unadmitted lawyer in the systematic practice of U.S. law violates the prohibition on aiding unauthorized practice. Both the foreign lawyer and the supervising U.S. counsel face professional consequences.
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Yes. The duty of candor requires disclosure of any regulatory inquiry that bears on honesty or fitness. The absence of formal findings does not excuse the failure to report the fact of the inquiry itself.
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…whole nature of our judicial process . . . [,] considerations deeply rooted in reason and in the compelling traditions of the legal profession.' " The weighing or valuing of contending interests in this sphere is only the first step, forming the basis for determining whether the statute in question falls inside or outside the zone…