Why Is There a Social Division of Respect and Perception Between the Public and Private Sectors of American Law Practitioners?

When it comes to law practitioners in the United States, there is unspoken societal normality to view private practitioners with a certain gold standard. However, in many cases, when public servants are in the limelight, the societal gaze shifts to this second-hand standard, where many are considered lesser than or “not as good” as their private sector counterparts. When it comes down to it, the practitioners have passed the same/and or similar bar exam (for their respective states) and have gone through the same rigorous education to be where they are today. Both public and private sectors accomplish the same job that is in front of them, but one is paid significantly more, respected higher, and deemed by society the better option. However, clients can not afford the private sector due to privatized rates and are forced to “settle” with the public servant, then by proxy being deemed inadequate and the “loser” in the associated cases prematurely. This notion that there is a stereotype or bias towards public servants needs to be explored to see how pervasive this reality or myth truly is and to explore some of the possible sources for these perceptions.