THE Philippine law practice of old is all about confrontation, litigation and cross-examination. An image of a lawyer used to be one who can eloquently argue before a judge or a jury; or, one who has the wit and cunning to cross-examine a witness into confession.

The late Alexander Sycip, talking to a reporter, said 'it is a misconception to think of a lawyer as one who simply tries cases before the courts, rather, a lawyer is a planner, a diagnostician and a surgeon; and, internal medicine is always the first option if surgery can be avoided.'