로펌의 사회적 책임을 위한 시론

Abstract

This article deals with corporate social responsibility for law firms in Korean context. Korean mega law firms have donated money or provided voluntary service for social facilities and, more recently, they have done pro bono service as well. However, the point is that corporate social responsibility for law firms should not be limited to such activities but it should incorporate social responsibility which is given to lawyer as legal professionals. By referring to discussions on corporate social responsibility, this article tries to provide the contents of corporate social responsibility for law firms in relation to legal culture and practices in Korea. More concretely, this article suggests that corporate social responsibility for law firms could be 1) promoting rule of law, 2) anti-discrimination policy and diversity in law firms, 3) donation, social service, and pro bono service,4) education and training for trainee lawyers, 5) ethics in accepting cases, 6)responsibility for environment, 7) social reporting. In conclusion, some strategies to promote corporate social responsibility for law firms in Korea is suggested as follows. Mass media and evaluation organizations contributes to make law firms recognize social responsibility, but, considering Korean legal practices,the Korean Bar Association in which all lawyers is obliged to join could play an important role in enhancing the recognition of social responsibility for law firms.