"Law and eth-ics, law and eth-ics — they go together like nurture and gen-e-tics."

Thus sang Jonathan Shapiro. And no, he wasn’t trying to do a better job than Frank Sinatra on the number “Love and Marriage.” Shapiro was one of the many ethical scholars participating in a panel discussion hosted by USC College and the Levan Institute to brainstorm on the locus standi of ethics in the field of law.

The discussion, sponsored by USC College and the newly created USC Norman Levan Institute for Humanities and Ethics, saw several ethics scholars, including Nora M. Manella, U.S. district judge and USC alumna, Laurie L. Levenson, professor of law and director of the Center for Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School, and Jonathan Shapiro, a writer for television shows such as The Practice and Boston Legal.

Shapiro, tracing the origin of the word “ethics” to Greek “ethos,” said that the word describes a person’s moral character. He advised all those who intend to wield the gavel to assess their own character before embarking on their legal career.

Questioning if students would live up to the challenges that test a person’s character and ethical standing, Shapiro said, “Ultimately, defense attorneys have the harder job.” He explained that it is tough to defend a “schmuck” of a defendant rather than prosecute one.

Earlier, Peter Starr, USC College Dean, elaborated on the aims of the Levan Institution. He said that the institution would try to help law students “think about and ponder the ethical dilemmas that come with practicing their professions in the 21st century.” Hilary Schor, moderator of the discussion and dean of undergraduate programs, asked students to “take ownership of the institute.”

Laurie L. Levenson, professor of law and director of the Center for Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School, said that the ethical code also aims to protect an attorney from immoral clients. It protects the lawyer when he or she takes a stand against the client on ethical grounds.

In her elaborate discussion on the topic, Levenson also quoted prominent cases including that of Michael Jackson and former football star O.J. Simpson. She concluded her argument with a dig on “dirty lawyering, […] dirty practices do not usually result in courtroom victories.”

Nora M. Manella, U.S. district judge and USC alumna, quoted Abraham Lincoln in her speech, warning students to either commit themselves to ethics or to shun the profession. She countered the popular misconceptions about greedy lawyers, often the butt of jokes, by saying that “licensed attorneys have a code of ethics […] and good attorneys will follow their conscience.”

“In life in general, resolving not to be a jerk is probably a good idea,” Manella stated forcefully.