Whereas, the Rule of Law is essential to
preserving and protecting the rights and liberties of a free
people; and
Whereas, throughout history, lawyers and judges
have preserved, protected and defendned the Rule of Law in order to
ensure justice for all; and
Whereas, preservation and promulgation of the
highest standards of excellence in professionalism, ethics,
civility and legal skills are essential to achieving justice under
the Rule of Law;
Now Therefore, as a member of an American Inn
of Court, I hereby adopt this professional creed witha pledge to
honor its principles and practices:
- I will treat the practice of alw as a learned profession and
will uphold the standards of the profession with dignity, civility
and courtesy.
- I will value my integrity above all. My word is my
bond.
- I will develop my practice with dignity and will be mindful in
my communications with the public that what is constitutionally
permissiable may not be professionally appropriate.
- I will serve as an officer of the court, encouraging respect
for the law in all that I do and avoiding abuse or misuse of the
law, its procedures, its participants and its processes.
- I will represent the interests of my client with vigor and will
seek the most expeditious and least costly solutions to problems,
resolving disputes through negotiation whenever
possible.
- I will work continuously to attain the highest level of
knowledge and skill in the areas of law in which I
practice.
- I will contribute time and resources to public service,
charitable activities and pro bono work.
- I will work to make the legal system more accessible,
responsive and effective.
- I will honor the requirements, the spirit and the intent of the
applicable rules or codes of professional conduct for my
jurisdiction, and will encourage others to do the same.