From 1924 to 2024: Changes in the legal profession and how it’s evolved

Changes In The Legal Profession How Its Evolved
Learn about the biggest changes in the legal profession, including daily routines, societal perceptions, and landmark cases.

Changes in the legal profession are a constant; the Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with saying, “The only constant in life is change.” And while that’s certainly true for all of us, sometimes it’s fun to take a look at changes that have occurred within particular segments of society.

Today, of course, we’re focusing on lawyers. We’ll take a look at things like daily routines, societal perceptions, and significant cases that define certain time periods over the last century: 1924 to 1950; 1951 to 1980; 1981 to 2000; and 2001 to the present.

As we do this, some interesting patterns emerge.

For example, while the ways in which legal professionals travel to work and get things done are constantly evolving, the profound impact that law and lawyers have on society has remained consistent; changes in the legal profession across these eras highlight both progress and ongoing challenges.

Let’s take a look.

1924 to 1950

Imagine being an American lawyer in the first half of the 20th century.

Rapid industrialization and societal shifts were bringing a whirlwind of change to society and to law. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Daily routines

The daily life of a lawyer from 1924 to 1950 was characterized by a blend of tradition and emerging modernity. Early in the century, many lawyers worked from modest offices, often located in close proximity to courthouses (probably because horse-drawn carriages were only gradually being replaced by automobiles).

Attorneys drafted documents by hand or on typewriters, and met clients almost exclusively in person (because that was the only way to effectively communicate). Legal research was a purely manual task, requiring hours spent poring over books in dusty law libraries. 

As the years progressed, however, modern advancements like the land-line telephone started to change how lawyers communicated.

Societal perceptions

Lawyers during this time were often seen as pillars of their communities. They were trusted advisors and prominent public figures, with a reputation for upholding justice and contributing to societal progress. 

However, this era also reflected the prevailing social norms and biases. For example, women and minority lawyers faced significant barriers to entry and practice, with women making up less than five percent of the profession, with minority lawyers being equally rare.

Significant cases

Between 1924 and 1950, several significant cases shaped American law and society, reflecting pivotal changes in the legal profession and its influence on societal norms.

West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish (1937), for example, upheld the constitutionality of minimum wage laws, causing a massive shift in how employees were treated by businesses. 

Meanwhile, Korematsu v. United States (1944) controversially upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. That decision remains a stark reminder of the tension between civil liberties and national security.

1951-1980

Perhaps more than any other, the years between 1951 and 1980 marked an era of profound social upheaval, technological advances, and significant legal milestones. 

This period was made famous by the civil rights movement, the rise of consumer protection laws, and the expanding role of the federal government.

Daily routines

Lawyers during this time were the recipients of a plethora of new technologies. By the 1960s, typewriters had become electric, making document preparation faster.

The introduction of photocopiers and fax machines in the 1970s further revolutionized the way lawyers managed documents and communications, accelerating changes in the legal profession as it adapted to modern advancements.

A typical day still involved meeting clients, drafting legal documents, and attending court hearings, and research still required significant time in law libraries. That said, the publication of more comprehensive legal texts and reporters made it somewhat easier. 

The practice of law also became more specialized, with lawyers focusing on niche areas such as environmental law, which gained prominence following the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.

Societal perceptions

The societal perception of lawyers during this time was multifaceted. On one hand, lawyers were seen as champions of justice, particularly those involved in civil rights litigation.

Figures like Thurgood Marshall, who argued the Brown case and later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice, were celebrated as heroes.

However, the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, also cast a shadow over the legal profession.

The involvement of lawyers in the scandal led to increased scrutiny and a push for greater ethical standards and accountability within the profession.

Significant cases

This era saw several landmark Supreme Court cases that redefined the country itself. 

One of the most pivotal was Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which challenged the doctrine of “separate but equal” and aimed to dismantle racial segregation in public schools. 

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) was another pivotal case, establishing the requirement for police to inform suspects of their rights, fundamentally changing criminal procedure and justice.

1981 to 2000

Practicing law between 1981 and 2000 meant you had to embrace even more rapid technological advancements. This era also ushered in significant legal transformations, and witnessed the globalization of the legal profession. 

Daily routines

Lawyers in this period experienced a dramatic shift in their daily routines due to the advent of personal computers and the internet. By the mid-1980s, computers had become a staple in law offices, thus revolutionizing document drafting, storage, and legal research. 

Indeed, the introduction of paid legal research databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw completely transformed how lawyers accessed case law and legal precedents.

These developments epitomize the huge changes in the legal profession, making research faster and more efficient.

Email became a primary mode of communication, replacing much of the traditional postal correspondence, telephone calls, and faxes of earlier eras. Lawyers’ days were filled with a blend of face-to-face meetings, electronic communications, and increasing use of digital tools. 

The rise of mobile phones in the 1990s further connected lawyers, allowing them to stay in touch with clients and colleagues on the go.

Societal perceptions

Lawyers during this period were gaining a new form of notoriety, as the public perception of lawyers was heavily influenced by high-profile cases and media portrayals. 

Legal dramas on television and in movies glamorized the profession, while real-world events like the O.J. Simpson trial captivated the nation and made televised courtrooms a booming business.

Despite this popularity, the profession also faced criticism for being overly litigious. Cases like the infamous “McDonald’s Hot Coffee lawsuit” fueled a public perception that lawsuits were becoming more frequent and often frivolous. 

At the same time, the increasing complexity of corporate law and the rise of large law firms contributed to the image of lawyers as both essential and, at times, overly aggressive.

Women also began to gain prominence in the profession during this time, with Sandra Day O’Connor being appointed as the first female Supreme Court Justice in 1981.

Significant cases

During this era, the Supreme Court continued to shape law, society, and politics in significant ways.

 In Bush v. Gore (2000), for instance, the Supreme Court decided the outcome of the 2000 presidential election, highlighting the essential role of lawyers and the law within political processes.

In the civil rights arena, Romer v. Evans (1996) was a landmark case that struck down a Colorado amendment preventing protected status based on sexual orientation, paving the way for future LGBT rights advancements.

2001 to the present

The 21st century has brought further undeniable changes to the practice of law in America. From the aftermath of 9/11 to the COVID-19 pandemic, seemingly every part of the life of lawyering has changed significantly.

Daily routines

Modern lawyers rely heavily on technology in their daily routines. Remote work, virtual hearings, and eFiling systems have become standard, marking significant changes in the legal profession.

Legal research is now almost exclusively conducted online, with platforms like Google Scholar and Justia providing free and extensive databases. Case management software, eFiling systems, and virtual meeting tools have also revolutionized how lawyers manage their workload and interact with clients and colleagues.

Remote work, which became a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, has persisted as a common practice. Virtual hearings and depositions have also become standard, which reduces the need for travel and allows for greater flexibility. 

Cybersecurity has become a paramount concern, with law firms investing heavily in protecting sensitive client information from cyber threats.

Societal perceptions

Lawyers today are viewed by society as friend and foe. On one hand, they are seen as essential navigators of a complex legal and regulatory environment, especially in areas such as technology, healthcare, and corporate governance. 

Nonetheless, the legal profession has also faced scrutiny for issues related to diversity and inclusion. Efforts to increase the representation of women and minority lawyers have gained momentum, with law firms and bar associations implementing initiatives to address these disparities. 

Those efforts may be working. Women now make up nearly 40% of the profession, while people of color account for 21% of lawyers.

Significant cases

Modern law continues to shape society and politics. In Riley v. California (2014), the Supreme Court established that the warrantless search and seizure of digital contents on a cell phone during an arrest is unconstitutional, highlighting the need to balance law enforcement needs with privacy rights in the digital age.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) dramatically altered campaign finance laws by allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns, sparking ongoing debates about the influence of money in politics.

Conclusion

So there you have it. While the tools lawyers use on a daily basis have arguably made practice easier, one thing remains the same – lawyers and the laws they fight over have an undeniable impact on society, culture, politics, and life.

The changes in the legal profession reflect its adaptability and enduring significance.

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