For many years, professionals in public practice such as doctors, lawyers and auditors primarily operated in the form of sole proprietorships or general partnerships. In recent decades, other legal forms of organization have been adopted for professionals in public practice, such as professional corporations and limited-liability partnerships.

1. Explain why it was traditionally considered to be in the best interest of the public to require professionals in public practice to operate in the form of sole proprietorships or general partnerships.
2. What changes occurred in professional fields that led to the adoption of alternative legal forms such as professional corporations and limited-liability partnerships?
3. How is the public interest protected in these alternative forms of organization?