[jltsiren]

Attorneys have a special status before the law. In particular, an attorney is legally required to act in the client's legitimate interests. If there is another person in the organization above the attorney and that person is also an attorney, the same requirement extends to them. But if that person is a random MBA or shareholder, they have no such obligation, which creates a conflict of interest.

Other true professions have similar but lesser requirements. Some leadership positions in a hospital require an MD. Not because the MD makes you a better leader, but because the position involves making medical decisions. In an engineering company, some decisions must be made by a civil engineer. And so on.

The requirements for attorneys are stricter, because the law is a special case before the law. While other fields exist within the system, the law is the system itself.

[echelon]

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks!