Well you might want to look at how the TV portrays lawyers. Look at the popular law dramas Judge John Deed, Kavanagh QC, Injustice, Silks, Law and Order. etc
As to how the public perceive them, I couldn't possibly say - sometimes I am met with rank hostility, sometimes I am met with a client that clearly knows better, sometimes I am met with a client who really wants to listen and needs my help, sometimes I am met with a client who is so angry at the situation they take it out on everyone around them. I like to think that everyone who comes to me goes away thinking a) I have had good advice and b) she didn't cost me the earth and c) she fought bloody hard for me.
I would be interested in the result of your survey. Perhaps you could post a similar question in Chatterbank because at least there you will get "gloves off" opinions (and some funny ones).