Deconstructing the "Trial Lawyer" Meme

[Jacobin]

It is extremely aggravating to listen to the media propaganda campaign against Edwards tuning up, as they try on different versions of the best way to make Americans hate lawyers in general, but more particularly, the type of lawyer that Edwards was in private practice.

This broad brush of "trial lawyers" is obnoxiously inane.

Any lawyer who spends a substantial amount of time trying cases in court can properly be called a "trial lawyer". More commonly, a "trial lawyer" is one who spends time in court on civil matters as opposed to a "criminal defense lawyer" who also spends lots of time in court, but defends those accused of crimes.

A prosecutor is also a "trial lawyer" but is called a prosecutor even though he spends lots of time in court.

A lawyer who defends insurance companies in damage suits (of which there are zillions) spends lots of time in court and is also a "trial lawyer" but typically they are called "insurance defense attorneys", because that is what they do most.

Senator Edwards is properly called a "plaintiffs lawyer" or "personal injury attorney" because that is what he did most. Represented plaintiffs in damage actions against those who negligently hurt his clients.

While I know that Pravda will never mention this, SmirkCo hired legions of "trial lawyers" in Florida to fend off attempts to count votes in Florida. Does he hate them? The five stooges on SCOTUS were all at one time "trial lawyers", but they annointed SmirkCo to the presidency. Does he hate them?

Smirky just hired a "trial lawyer" to defend him in TraitorGate (Plame). Should his base think less of him for not only associating with but PAYING a "trial lawyer"?

But, why do you think they blurred Edwards with the "trial lawyer" (kinda like librul equals evil) meme instead of the "plaintiff's lawyer" (soon to be) approbation?

Is it because Smirky couldn't get into law school when he applied at UT because of his lousy grades and lack of brain cells?

[ramblin_dave]

1. Abraham Lincoln was a trial lawyer and

look what a disaster he was. :P

[Jade Fox]

2. Thanks! n/t