Legal Definitions - brethren

The term brethren refers to brothers, particularly male colleagues or members of a professional group, often used in a formal or collegial context. Historically, it was a common term used by male judges or lawyers to refer to their male peers. However, its use has significantly decreased as the legal profession, especially the judiciary, has become more diverse and inclusive of women.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of "brethren":

• Imagine a Supreme Court Justice in the mid-20th century, writing a concurring opinion. He might have stated, "While I agree with the majority's ultimate conclusion, my brethren have overlooked a crucial precedent in their reasoning regarding the Commerce Clause."

  This example demonstrates the historical use of "brethren" by a male judge to formally refer to his fellow male judges on the same court, highlighting a collegial yet sometimes differing professional relationship.

• Consider a managing partner at a long-established law firm in the 1970s, addressing the other male partners during an annual meeting. He might have begun, "Good evening, my esteemed brethren. I am pleased to report on the firm's robust performance this past year and our plans for expansion."

  Here, "brethren" is used in a formal, professional setting among male peers within a law firm, signifying a shared professional status and camaraderie among the partners.

• In a formal address at a historically all-male bar association's annual dinner in the late 1980s, the president might have proclaimed, "I urge my brethren of the bar to uphold the highest ethical standards in all their dealings, both inside and outside the courtroom."

  This illustrates the term's application within a professional organization, where it was used to formally address and unite the male members of the legal community, emphasizing shared professional values and responsibilities.