LAB-rary 2013: Civility, A Discussion in Honor of Professor J. William Conger: Civility: Why it Matters

Welcome to the 2013 Oklahoma City University Lab-rary. This year’s topic is Civility: a discussion in honor of Professor J. William Conger. March 4-6 we will hold online and in-person discussion of civility in the legal profession. You can find the discussion online at http://law.okcu.libguides.com/LABrary2013 or visit the first floor lobby of the law library to leave a comment on the white board. You may also send us a "Tweet" to the OCU Law Library Twitter account. A panel discussion with practitioners will be held March 6 at 1pm in the Native American wing of the law library.

Here are some guidelines for joining the conversation:

• Each box of the Libguide is a chance to share your opinion with your colleagues.
• Click on "Comments" to view comments or create your own. You will be prompted to enter your name, email (not required), a subject line, and your comment. Once posted, your comment and email (if provided) will be visible to everyone who visits this page and you will not have the ability to delete the message.

•  New topics will be discussed Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning, and Tuesday afternoon. You are free to continue your discussion of a previous topic once a new topic has been posted.
•   Your comments may be shared with the panelists during the March 6 panel discussion. You may also pose questions to the panel if time allows.

In the comments please share what civility means to you.

Are civility and professionalism the same thing? Take our poll below and add any comments in the comments section.

G.M. Filisko. You’re Out of Order! Dealing with the Costs of Incivility in the Legal Profession, ABA Journal (Jan. 2012)

Brian Sullivan, The Last Word: When the Last thing You Want to Do is the first Thing You Ought to Do, ABA Journal (Jan. 2012).

Suggest articles for your colleagues in the comments.

William J. Conger. Transforming the Legal Profession 79 Okla. B. J. 2172 (2008).

Professor Conger writes that the law, "is a learned profession. We are very educated and continue with our education. Second, our profession is noble because it implies service to others, especially those who are most vulnerable in our society..."

In light of these comments, why is civility such an important aspect of the legal profession?

I, (state your name), as a student entering Oklahoma City University School of Law, understand that I am joining an academic community and embarking on a professional career.

The School of Law and the legal profession share important goals and values.  Among these are:

·      A commitment to the pursuit of excellence.

·      A commitment to honesty, integrity, courtesy, civility, and fairness.

·      A commitment to complete every professional undertaking with competence, promptness, and diligence.

·      A commitment to conform one’s conduct to the requirements of law, the rules governing the School of Law, including its Honor Code, and, upon gaining admission to the bar, the rules governing the legal profession.

·      A commitment to seek improvement of the law, access to the legal system, the administration of justice and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession.

As a lawyer-in-training, I accept these goals and values.

I pledge my best efforts to conduct my academic, professional, and personal life to honor these goals and to pursue these values, so as to bring credit to the School of Law and the legal profession.

ABA's Dialogue on Civility and Free Expression

Do you agree with the panelists' definitions of civility? Is it possible to "passionately disagree" while remaining civil?

Adopted by the OBA Board of Governors on Nov. 17, 1989; amended March 2008.

I revere the Law, the System and the Profession, and I pledge that in my private and professional life, and in my dealings with members of the Bar, I will uphold the dignity and respect of each in my behavior toward others.

In all dealings with members of the Bar, I will be guided by a fundamental sense of integrity and fair play.

I will not abuse the System or the Profession by pursuing or opposing discovery through arbitrariness or for the purpose of harassment or undue delay.

I will not seek accommodation for the rescheduling of any Court setting or discovery unless a legitimate need exists. I will not misrepresent conflicts, nor will I ask for accommodation for the purpose of tactical advantage or undue delay.

In my dealings with the Court and with counsel, as well as others, my word is my bond.

I will readily stipulate to undisputed facts in order to avoid needless costs or inconvenience for any party .

I recognize that my conduct is not governed solely by the Code of Professional Responsibility, but also by standards of fundamental decency and courtesy. Accordingly, I will endeavor to conduct myself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Professionalism adopted by the Board of Governors.

I will strive to be punctual in communications with others and in honoring scheduled appearances, and I recognize that neglect and tardiness are demeaning to me and to the Profession.

If a member of the Bar makes a just request for cooperation, or seeks scheduling accommodation, I will not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold consent.

I recognize that a desire to prevail must be tempered with civility. Rude behavior hinders effective advocacy, and, as a member of the Bar, I pledge to adhere to a high standard of conduct which clients, attorneys, the judiciary and the public will admire and respect.