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PROFESSIONALISM
P R I N C I P L E S O F C I V I L I T Y, INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM
he Bar Commission met last month in Deadwood. During thethereafter, meeting, topicnotify of incivility in our om immediately andthe promptly the court and counsel if their attendance cannot be assured. profession surfaced. LAP Director, Becky Porter, reported Bar Members areto experiencing incivility es. 8. that Be respectful and courteous court marshals or bailiffs, reporters, and law clerks. by bothclerks, clients and secretaries, other lawyers. Dean Neil Fulton ossible, reported incivility is an issue among law students. Of course, we all witness the lack of civility on a daily basis in the national discourse on a variety of topics. Pandemic-related stress is often cited as a cause for C T E X Pthe E Crise TED O F J U D GNo E Smatter the cause, the trend is in incivility. disturbing and it is incumbent upon all of us to promote 7. Give issues in controversy deliberate, impartial, and studied integrity,analysis professionalism civility in our Bar. before renderingand a decision.
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8. Be considerate of the time constraints and pressures
Many South trial lawyersof litigation have earned imposed Dakota on lawyers by the demands practice, the while endeavoring to resolve disputes efficiently. privilege of membership in the American Board of Trial9. Advocates Since its toinception, Be mindful that(ABOTA). a lawyer has a right and duty present a make a complete record, and the facts and ABOTAcase hasfully, embraced principles ofargue civility, integrity law vigorously. and professionalism as precepts of its Code of 10. Never impugn the integrity or professionalism a lawyer Professionalism. I have permission from theofABOTA based solely on the clients or causes he represents. national office to re-print these principles and they are Require court personnel to be principles respectful andapply courteous set forth11.below. I believe these to all toward lawyers, parties, and witnesses. lawyers, not just trial lawyers. By adhering to these 12. Abstain fromof adopting procedures increase principles, each one us can do our that partneedlessly to change the litigation time and expense. culture of incivility in our profession. 13. Promptly bring to counsel’s attention uncivil conduct on the part of clients, witnesses, or counsel.
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