The definition and scope of Legal Ethics is discussed by Prof. Warvelle, in his work on this subject, as follows:

"Thus far we have been considering only the general subject of ethics, while our special study is denominated 'legal ethics.' But this is, to a large extent, a misnomer, for our study has nothing to do with law as law, but relates wholly to professional conduct on the part of those who assume to practice law. For this reason, therefore, we shall more nearly express the idea involved if we call it 'professional ethics.' Yet even this term is unsatisfactory, for it seems to imply that there may be different standards of righteous living and conduct. Indeed, it suggests the very pertinent inquiry: Do men by entering a particular profession thereby assume any moral duties on the one hand or acquire any exemption on the other, distinguishable from those which apply to the rest of mankind? The answer is an unqualified No! Truth, sincerity, honesty, fidelity and the rest of the virtues, are imposed alike upon the humble artisan and eminent advocate, while the rules which prompt to action are the same in either case.

"But convenience has invented phrases which custom has sanctioned, until they have become parts of our common speech, and thus have been coined such barbarous terms as legal ethics,' 'medical ethics' etc., meaning thereby the moral principles and codes of specialized rules that have been built upon them, which, in theory at least, are to govern the conduct of the practitioner as a practitioner. It will be found upon investigation, however, that while many of these rules are but special applications of broad principles, others are strictly conventional usages of the particular profession. This is strikingly illustrated by those rules which relate to the professional intercourse of practitioners, and, while such rules have a decidedly ethical basis, they are yet of that character to which we ordinarily apply the term 'etiquette.'

"Legal ethics may also be distinguished from the general subject in that while a violation of the moral code, as established by the conventions of society, will usually result in nothing worse than social ostracism, a disregard of the ethics of the bar may result in professional death. In society men are kept within bounds by no stronger a force than public opinion, but in the legal profession a summary jurisdiction is lodged in the courts to discipline offenders against morals and good conscience. To this extent legal ethics partakes of the nature of law.

"But this disciplinary power extends only to the lawyer as a lawyer. It is exercised only with respect to professional duty. As a man and a citizen the lawyer is not distinguishable from other men. His obligations to society are the same as those of every other citizen, and for any breaches thereof, amounting to no more than a disregard of conventional usage, he can be arraigned only at the bar of public opinion.

"It may be said, and with much truth, that a man called to the honorable position of an advocate should exhibit, both in and out of his profession, the sterling qualities that constitute the highest excellence of righteous living. But this is a duty incumbent on all men, whatever may be their avocation or their position in society. The law does not concern itself with moral duties, however much they may serve to influence legislation, nor does legal ethics properly extend to individual character."

During the present year the American Bar Association has adopted a comprehensive code of legal ethics. This code, containing the consensus of opinion of this body comprising a large number of the leading lawyers of America, is entitled to more weight than the opinion of any individual can be entitled to, and therefore largely supersedes the various works written on this subject. The text of this code is as follows: