Local Rules
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
APPENDIX D
GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
- In fulfilling his or her primary duty to the client, a lawyer must be ever
conscious of the broader duty to the judicial system that serves both attorney
and client.
- A lawyer owes, to the judiciary, candor, diligence and utmost respect.
- A lawyer owes, to opposing counsel, a duty of courtesy and cooperation,
the observance of which is necessary for the efficient administration of our
system of justice and the respect of the public it serves.
- A lawyer unquestionably owes, to the administration of justice, the fundamental
duties of personal dignity and professional integrity.
- Lawyers should treat each other, the opposing party, the court, and members
of the court staff with courtesy and civility and conduct themselves in a
professional manner at all times.
- A client has no right to demand that counsel abuse the opposite party or
indulge in offensive conduct. A lawyer shall always treat adverse witnesses
and suitors with fairness and due consideration.
- In adversary proceedings, clients are litigants and though ill feeling may
exist between clients, such ill feeling should not influence a lawyer's conduct,
attitude, or demeanor towards opposing lawyers.
- A lawyer should not use any form of discovery, or the scheduling of discovery,
as a means of harassing opposing counsel or counsel's client.
- Lawyers 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 accommodation, a lawyer will not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold
consent.
- Effective advocacy does not require antagonistic or obnoxious behavior and
members of the Bar will adhere to the higher standard of conduct which judges,
lawyers, clients, and the public may rightfully expect.