Bennett’s remarks reviewed the role of attorneys in our society over the past century.  Bennett noted the decline in professionalism amongst lawyers along with the eroding public confidence in the practice of law.  Bennett cited to various research studies conducted in the past decade including one where Matlock and Perry Mason were named as favorite lawyers despite being fictitious television characters.

Bennett offered six solutions to help restore integrity to the profession.  Amongst his remarks Bennett indicated that the profession needs to self-regulate and publish or promote the results for those who meet the highest ethical standards.  Bennett also suggested that community service is an important component of restoring integrity to the profession and that lawyers need to treat each other more civilly.  Finally, Bennett emphasized that lawyers need to do a better job communicating with their clients.

Bennett is President of The Bennett Law Firm, P.A., a Portland, Maine firm which specializes in representing management throughout the Northeast on matters of labor and employment law.  He is also on the Governing Council of the American Bar Association’s Tort and Insurance Practice Section and a Vice President and Director of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms.