The following are principles intended to guide attorneys in practicing in the Eastern
District of Oklahoma:
(a) 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.
(b) A lawyer owes, to the judiciary, candor, diligence and utmost respect.
(c) 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.
(d) A lawyer owes, to the administration of justice, the fundamental duties of
personal dignity and professional integrity.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) 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.
(j) 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.
(k) 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.
