12/22/2020
PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONALISM
In fulfilling our professional responsibilities, we as attorneys, officers of the court, and custodians of our legal system, must remain ever-mindful of our obligations of civility in pursuit of justice, the rule of law, and the fair and peaceable resolution of disputes and controversies. In this regard, we adhere to the following principles adopted by the State Bar of Michigan and authorized by the Michigan Supreme Court:
* We show civility in our interactions with people involved in the
justice system by treating them with courtesy and respect.
* We are cooperative with people involved in the justice system
within the bounds of our obligations to clients.
* We do not engage in, or tolerate, conduct that may be viewed as
rude, threatening or obstructive toward people involved in the justice system.
* We do not disparage or attack people involved in the justice system, or employ gratuitously hostile or demeaning words in our written and oral legal communications and pleadings.
* We do not act upon, or exhibit, invidious bias toward people
involved in the justice system and we seek reasonably to accommodate the
needs of others, including lawyers, litigants, judges, jurors, court staff, and members of the public, who may require such accommodation.
* We treat people involved in the justice system fairly and respectfully notwithstanding their differing perspectives, viewpoints, or politics.
* We act with honesty and integrity in our relations with people
involved in the justice system and fully honor promises and commitments.
* We act in good faith to advance only those positions in our legal
arguments that are reasonable and just under the circumstances.
* We accord professional courtesy, wherever reasonably possible, to other members of our profession.
* We act conscientiously and responsibly in taking care of the
financial interests of our clients and others involved in the justice system.
* We recognize ours as a profession with its own practices and
traditions, many of which have taken root over the passing of many years, and seek to accord respect and regard to these practices and traditions.
* We seek to exemplify the best of our profession in our interactions with people who are not involved in the justice system.
