A lawyer’s professional responsibilities are often governed by rules of professional conduct, but they must also be guided by the personal conviction that a lawyer has in upholding the values of the legal profession and the public interest. Moreover, the personal judgment of ethical peers can provide guidance on difficult questions of professional discretion.

Client Relations

Strong client relationships are critical for maintaining professional standards and protecting a lawyer’s personal reputation. A lawyer’s clients deserve a high standard of service and should be treated with respect and dignity at all times.

When representing a client, a lawyer must be honest and truthful in all aspects of representation. This includes keeping in confidence information about the representation that is not otherwise required or permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.

The lawyer should communicate with the client about the status of a matter, including the time it may take to complete the task and the reasons why the task cannot be completed on the anticipated date or within the expected budget. A lawyer should also explain billing practices, including any limitations on the number of hours that a client can be charged for.Recommended this site personal injury attorney in DC .

 

* Stay on point and do not wander off course during oral arguments in court. This is a mistake that can cause you to lose the case or motion for which you are arguing.

** Be courteous to the judge and other lawyers in the courtroom. This means addressing the judge as “your honor,” speaking clearly and loudly when it is your turn, and not displaying any body language that could be considered disrespectful or inappropriate by the judge.

Firmness and Regularity

In a law career, consistency and regularity are the key skills that make for good practice. A lawyer should be prepared and able to stay on task in order to win cases and motions.

A lawyer should maintain a tidy office and be diligent in keeping all of his belongings organized, in a way that they can be readily found when needed. This is to help him avoid wasting his time, which can result in delays in the delivery of a case or motion.

The filing of pleadings, discovery, motions or other papers should not be used as a means to harass, delay or unfairly gain an advantage in any manner. The filing of such documents should be on the earliest possible basis, and agreement on procedural and discovery matters should be sought in advance where possible.

Lawyers must behave in ways that reflect well on the profession and on the judiciary. This includes, but is not limited to, a lawyer’s appearance in the media. It is important to remember that, while lawyers should treat the media with courtesy and civility when dealing with them, their actions in the media are regulated by the same rules that govern their conduct in court.