What is the primary purpose of legal ethics?

The primary purpose of legal ethics is to establish standards of professional conduct. Legal ethics provides guidelines that govern the behavior of legal professionals, ensuring they uphold integrity, competence, and respect for the legal system. These standards help maintain public trust in the legal profession by promoting fairness, justice, and accountability among attorneys and other legal practitioners.

While minimizing litigation costs, protecting clients' secrets, and promoting legal education are important aspects of the legal profession, they are not the overarching purpose of legal ethics. Legal ethics fundamentally aims to define and regulate how legal professionals should conduct themselves in their practice, thereby fostering an environment where legal duties are fulfilled with integrity and diligence. This foundational aspect is critical for the proper functioning of the legal system and the protection of clients' rights.