By Mama A Touray
Honorable Dawda Jallow, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, has advised 60 new lawyers called to Bar to always remain professional in doing their jobs within the core values of law ethics.
Minister Jallow in his address on Monday expressed “as you are called to the bar today, always remember as lawyers you must be professional at all times, it necessitates that you act diligently, competently, ethically and above all with integrity.”
He said commitment to the core values of honesty and integrity make the law profession to standout as one of the good jobs while he them to do everything possible to maintain their good character.
“Lawyers and you must demonstrate honesty in all your dealings with your clients or employers as the case may be and do not take advantage of your clients or any vulnerable or poor people.
“History has taught us that not all lawyers will act honestly with all their deals to put it frankly some notorious lawyers will act greedily and abuse their positions of trust. So you should refrain at all times from acting for any crime that will require you to act unprofessionally and always bear in mind that there is a high price to pay when reported and when you flaw the rules and discipline proceedings may be instituted against you by the general legal counsel, this could lead to debarment (expulsion),” he said.
More so, he advised them to remember that there are ethical implications in becoming a lawyer as lawyers they should all take a very good stand when it comes to issues of professionalism. He added that a lawyer without high ethical standard vessel is a mere technician whose relationship with the client amounts to nothing other than a casual superficial commercial transaction.
According to him, it is only by upholding the core values of our profession that we can continuously with oblige confidence in the administration of justice and the legal system.
“Whilst as lawyers you can make money through hard work and a very good reputation, the attributes of any good lawyer are hard work and justice, success as a lawyer comes about handwork, dedication to professional and ethical values.
“As young practitioners you are bound to run into difficulties because of your career and do not hesitate to seek advice from your seniors and I will encourage you to seek mentors who will guide you as you journey through,” he advised.