Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Keywords
popular culture, government lawyers, legal profession
Abstract
Popular culture reveals much about the perceived role of lawyers in contemporary life. In this article, I draw lessons from the portrayal of lawyers in Aaron Sorkin's classic television series, The West Wing. As a drama centred around a Democratic presidential administration, Republicans often provide the foil. From time to time, however, the show lionizes what might be termed ‘the good Republican’. That ‘good Republican’ is most often a practicing lawyer whose desire to serve is grounded in duty or faith. In this essay, I use a trio of these characters to explore the role of lawyers in public service. At first glance, these lawyers may seem to achieve goodness through a readiness to abandon their political views, particularly Republican views – suggesting that lawyers’ beliefs are malleable if not mercenary. At a deeper level, however, these characters and their experiences vividly convey idealized but worthwhile ideals of public service as a valuable and honourable career choice, particularly for lawyers.
Recommended Citation
Andrew Flavelle Martin, “Lawyers and Public Service: Duty, Faith, and the ‘Good Republican’ in The West Wing” (2025) 47:3 Man LJ [forthcoming].
Comments
This is a pre-print article made available online by the Manitoba Law Journal in May 2024. This article is forthcoming in (2025) 47:3 Man LJ [24 pages].