As Myanmar emerges from decades of repression, lawyers are becoming more important in the evolving new system. Tens of thousands of lawyers are licensed in Myanmar, but most of them were trained in substandard courses and lack the resources needed to develop a successful law practice. The Burmese legal profession faces threats from official repression and judicial corruption. Private lawyers in Myanmar are a pivotal component of future reforms, but they are unready to meet the challenges of the emerging democratic society. Developing a legal profession with the abilities, resources, and integrity to properly protect the rights of every Burmese citizen should be a priority as the reform process continues.