TY - JOUR

T1 - The Sociology of the Legal Profession in the Digital Age

AU - Caserta, Salvatore

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - This article explores how classical sociological theories such as functionalism, critical approaches, and Weberian intepretivism, can help understand the present situation of the legal profession in the digital age. It argues that functionalist approaches allow to explore under which conditions contemporary lawyers can develop social integration, especially vis-à-vis actors not committed to the respect of the rule of law. Critical approaches allow for understanding how the legal profession respond to different constellations of actors and other social forces and how it is characterized by internal divisions and stratifications. Finally, Weberian approaches are helpful to reveal how the legal profession legitimizes itself by developing specific legal rationalities in response to societal and political dynamics.

AB - This article explores how classical sociological theories such as functionalism, critical approaches, and Weberian intepretivism, can help understand the present situation of the legal profession in the digital age. It argues that functionalist approaches allow to explore under which conditions contemporary lawyers can develop social integration, especially vis-à-vis actors not committed to the respect of the rule of law. Critical approaches allow for understanding how the legal profession respond to different constellations of actors and other social forces and how it is characterized by internal divisions and stratifications. Finally, Weberian approaches are helpful to reveal how the legal profession legitimizes itself by developing specific legal rationalities in response to societal and political dynamics.

U2 - 10.1080/09695958.2021.1920417

DO - 10.1080/09695958.2021.1920417

M3 - Journal article

VL - 29

SP - 319

EP - 334

JO - International Journal of the Legal Profession

JF - International Journal of the Legal Profession

SN - 0969-5958

IS - 3

ER -