Garland County Bar Association
Code of Professional Courtesy

As a member of the Garland County Bar Association, I hereby adopt the following guidelines for my conduct as a lawyer and my respect for the law:

• I will adhere to the law, observe the Rules of Professional Conduct, and conduct myself in a professional manner.
• I will Strive to communicate in a timely fashion, including the return of telephone calls to other lawyers.
• I will wear appropriate attire when appearing in Court and stand when I address the Court so as to show respect for the Court, my profession and the law.
• I will also advise my clients and witnesses of the kind of behavior expected of them while in the courtroom.I recognize that my duty as an advocate is not to be obnoxious, antagonistic, or to cause unreasonable delay, even though a client might expect such conduct.
• I will strive to be punctual for all meetings, conferences, trials and hearings, recognizing that clients are usually better served by expediting the legal process and avoiding unnecessary expense.
• I will cooperate in the discovery process by making an effort to schedule depositions by agreement before submitting a notice of deposition.
• I will avoid all abuse of the discovery process including unnecessary, burdensome and overly broad discovery, and I will stipulate to facts and to the introduction of documents into evidence, whenever these can be done without prejudice to my client.
• I will treat fellow lawyers with respect and dignity. I will not ask or expect a lawyer or judge to communicate with my support staff. When each adversarial proceeding ends, I will shake hands with my opposing lawyer, and if my client loses, I will refrain from condemnation of the Court or fellow lawyers.
• I am thankful that I have been given the ability and the opportunity to be a lawyer and to serve as an officer of the Court. I will conduct myself in a way that brings pride to my profession, and maintains respect, trust, friendship and camaraderie between myeslf and my fellow members of the Bar.