Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 4-3-2025
Abstract
Do law schools foster a culture of kindness? This essay argues that law schools’ policies do not adequately address non-academic misconduct, resulting in university policies that fail to promote good moral character. This argument is supported by analyzing a sample of law school student conduct and honor codes, examining anecdotal evidence of law school experiences, and looking at American Bar Association (ABA) regulations. This essay concludes that current honor codes are inconsistent and insufficient and provides suggestions to improve the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, add a Standard for ABA law school regulation, and institute honor codes regarding non-academic misconduct.
Recommended Citation
Stevenson, Jordan, "Killing Kindness: How Law School Honor Codes Miss the Mark on Moral Character" (2025). Legal Writing Competition Winners. 6.
https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/stusch_winners/6
Included in
Administrative Law Commons, Civil Procedure Commons, Education Law Commons, Law and Society Commons, Legal Education Commons, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Commons
Comments
First runner-up for the 2026 Robert D. Reif Fellowship in Legal Ethics and Professional Values.