Are lawyers ever able to use their knowledge of the law for personal gain?

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xtron8r	For ethical reasons, no. Your local Law Society will punish unscrupulous lawyers. Profiting at the expense of others' losses is no excuse for exploitation of loopholes in the law for personal gain. That is why the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 was implemented - remember Enron? Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Double Dachshunds Owner	All the time. After all, lawyers get paid for what they do don't they? Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

nickfromavvo	Yes, anything is possible. However, lawyers are subject to strict rules of professional conduct. I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind when you say "personal gain," but if it's at all unethical or illegal, it's probably prohibited by the rules of professional conduct in the lawyer's jurisdiction. If a lawyer violates those rules, he/she could be sanctioned or even disbarred. If you want to ask lawyers a question of professional conduct for free, you can do so at http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/. You can also search to see if a lawyer has been sanctioned by searching his/her name at http://www.avvo.com. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Brian A	Yes, it is called working at a law firm. If you are looking for a lawyer version of a stockbroker's "insider information", I don't think there is such a thing unless they use confidential information from their CLIENTS (not the law) for personal gain. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

AtomiK Kitten	Politics...being a good attorney.... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Lauren S	Absolutely! I know this is a cheesy way to say it but knowledge really is power. When you know what rights you are entitled to, you are better able to make sure that those rights are respected. I volunteer at a legal aid clinic and every day I feel so fortunate that I have the legal knowledge that I do. I see so many people who unfortunately end up in upsetting and frustrating legal situations that I know could have easily been avoided had they known their rights at the time and how to express them in such a way so as to ensure quick compliance by a wrongdoer. It is absolutely appalling how many people and companies thrive on taking advantage of others because they know that they can safely rely on the fact that the overwhelming majority of people are clueless as to their own rights under the law. Additionally, most people are unable to afford an attorney or are unwilling to hire one because often the legal fees may outweigh the benefit gained. This is where attorneys frequently use their knowledge for personal gain in the form of free legal work- either by representing themselves in any matter they wish to address or by finding a fellow law school buddy to take the matter on just for the thrill of the challenge. While I'm sure this may be quite obnoxious to those on the receiving end of an attorney's assertion of their own rights (while also fueling the lawyer stereotype), it is certainly not illegal or unethical. In fact, it is exactly the same thing any other professional or specially skilled person would and should do.... I mean, why spend all the money and time getting the extra education if you're not going to use for your benefit! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

rwa000	all the time they are people too, i think Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No