Of course you're right, Chris -
Like politicians, it's only 95% of lawyers that give the rest a bad name - and the babies get thrown out with the bathwater. There are a LOT of lawyers out there who are very fine individuals, and to whom we owe a GREAT debt of gratitude for their efforts to defend the rule of law in these United States - especially in these parlous times. Sadly, they are a small minority among those who are "earning" their livings by preying upon us ordinary citizens.
If the American Bar Association (and the state-level equivalents) would do its (their) job and discipline those who violate ethical standards we would all be better off. The problem is that, as with ALL organizations (clubs, churches, governments or whatever), the bigger the group the greater the corruption.
Just MHO,
- Russo Loco