ABSTRACT
The legal profession is naturally replete with rules. We have seen that lawyers have state, national, and even international rules that govern their conduct with clients, the public, and the judicial system. Lawyers also have to abide by rules established by their law firms, companies, or government offices. At first blush, this industry – with its rules-based emphasis – may seem like an unlikely place for individuals to voice their feelings about moral values. But the rules provide only a starting point for any inquiry rather than an end. In addition, knowing the rules is not the same as understanding their purpose. In other words, a person could understand and comply with the precise requirements of a law but still violate its intent and spirit. As Marine Lieutenants Kendrick and Dawson learned the hard way in the legally themed classic, A Few Good Men, rule-following is good, even expected. But when following it to the letter means betraying your conscience, the spirit of the rule is compromised along with the ethics of the rule follower. And that has consequences. This book’s GVV framework is meant to minimize such consequences by empowering individuals to voice their concerns about unethical actions.
