Principles of Professionalism

A Lawyer’s Principles of Professionalism

The hallmark of a civilized society is its ability to maintain a judicial system that is fair, effective and efficient. As lawyers, we have a predominant role in assuring that the judicial system fulfills these goals. Toward that end, each lawyer should aspire to fulfill the following Principles of Professionalism:

• A lawyer owes, to the judiciary, to the client and to opposing counsel, candor, diligence, respect, courtesy, cooperation and competence.

• In serving the client, a lawyer must be ever conscious of the broader duty to the judicial system of which both attorney and client are a part.

• A client has no right to demand that counsel abuse any participant in the judicial system or indulge in offensive conduct. Effective advocacy requires neither.

• A lawyer should not use any form of discovery, the scheduling of discovery, or any other part of the dispute resolution process as a means of harassing opposing counsel or opposing counsel’s client or as a means of impeding the timely, efficient and cost effective resolution of a dispute.

• A lawyer will be punctual in communications with others and in honoring scheduled appearances, and will recognize that neglect and tardiness are demeaning to the lawyer and to the judicial system.

• If a fellow member of the bar makes a just request for cooperation or seeks scheduling accommodations, a lawyer will not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold consent.

• A lawyer owes to the public a devotion to the public good and to public service; a commitment to the improvement of the administration of justice; a duty to abide by and report violations by others of any disciplinary rules; and the contribution of uncompensated time and civic influence on behalf of those persons who cannot afford adequate legal assistance.

• Above all, a lawyer owes to all with whom the lawyer comes in contact, civility, professional integrity and personal dignity.

Brought to you by the Colorado Bar Association Professionalism Committee