22 States, Including Delaware, Have Lawyer Civility Oaths. It's Not Enough
A promise to be civil in the new-lawyer oath may be a good starting point, but stakeholders and observers recognize the oath is not enough to stem the ongoing problem of lawyers behaving badly.
November 14, 2019 at 03:00 PM
6 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Texas Lawyer
Recognizing a rise in attorney misbehavior, nearly half the states in America have added a promise to remain civil to the oaths that lawyers take to gain admission to the bar.
It's a good starting point and worthy goal, but stakeholders and observers say the oath is not enough to stem the ongoing problem of lawyers behaving badly.
"You can be more effective by treating your opposing counsel and opposing parties with respect and dignity," said Mike Maguire, national president of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the group that spread the civility oath around the nation. "I think it's had an effect at teaching lawyers, early on, that you can be effective by treating people well. You can be a zealous advocate, without becoming a zealot."
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