ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS AND THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
The conduct of a lawyer should be characterized at all times by honesty, candor, and fairness. In fulfilling his or her primary duty to a client, a lawyer must be ever mindful of the profession's broader duty to the legal system.
The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals are committed to eliminating a practice in our State by a minority of lawyers of abusive tactics which have surfaced in many parts of our country. We believe such tactics are a disservice to our citizens, harmful to clients, and demeaning to our profession.
The abusive tactics range from lack of civility to outright hostility and obstructionism. Such behavior does not serve justice but tends to delay and often deny justice. The lawyers who use abusive tactics instead of being part of the solution have become part of the problem.
The desire for respect and confidence by lawyers from the public should provide the members of our profession with the necessary incentive to attain the highest degree of ethical and professional conduct. These rules are primarily aspirational. Compliance with the rules depends primarily upon understanding and voluntary compliance, secondarily upon reenforcement by peer pressure and public opinion, and finally when necessary by enforcement by the courts through their inherent powers and rules already in existence.
These standards are not a set of rules that lawyers can use and abuse to incite ancillary litigation or arguments over whether or not they have been observed.
We must always be mindful that the practice of law is a profession. As members of a learned art we pursue a common calling in the spirit of public service. We have a proud tradition. Throughout the history of our nation, the members of our citizenry have looked to the ranks of our profession for leadership and guidance. Let us now as a profession each rededicate ourselves to practice law so we can restore public confidence in our profession, faithfully serve our clients, and fulfill our responsibility to the legal system.
The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals hereby promulgate and adopt
"The Texas Lawyer's Creed - A Mandate for Professionalism" as attached hereto and made a part hereof.
In Chambers, this 7th day of November, 1989.
The Supreme Court of Texas | The Court of Criminal Appeals |
Thomas. R. Phillips, Chief Justice Franklin S. Spears C. L. Ray Raul A. Gonzales Oscar H. Mauzy Eugene A. Cook Jack Hightower Nathan L. Hecht Lloyd A. Doggett Justices | Michael J. McCormick, Presiding Judge W. C. Davis Sam Houston Clinton Marvin O. Teague Chuck Miller Charles F. (Chuck) Campbell Bill White M. P. Duncan, III David A. Berchelmann, Jr. Judges |