(a) Conduct of Counsel.
Counsel shall conduct themselves in the courtroom with dignity and propriety. All
statements and communications to the Court shall be clearly and audibly made from the
counsel table or, if the Court is equipped with an attorney's lectern, from a standing position
behind the lectern facing the Court. Counsel shall not approach the bench unless requested to
do so by the Court or unless permission is granted upon the request of counsel. Counsel should
anticipate the necessity for rulings and discuss them when the jury is not seated.
(b) Examination of Witnesses.
Examination of witnesses shall be conducted from the lectern in the courtroom, except
when it shall be necessary to approach the witness, Clerk of Court or reporter's table for the
purpose of presenting or examining exhibits. Counsel shall hand to the courtroom deputy, not
the judge or reporter, all things for examination by the judge.
(c) Number of Participating Counsel.
Only one attorney for each party may examine or cross-examine a witness. Not more
than two (2) attorneys for each party may argue the merits of the action unless the Court
otherwise permits.
(d) Courtroom Standards.
To maintain decorum in the courtroom when Court is in session, counsel shall abide
strictly by the following rules:
(1) counsel shall be punctual, prepared and appear in appropriate
professional attire;
(2) counsel shall stand when the judge or jury enters or leaves the
courtroom;
(3) counsel shall stand when addressing, or when addressed by, the Court
and when examining and cross-examining witnesses;
(4) counsel shall address others only by their titles and surnames, including
lawyers, witnesses and court personnel;
(5) counsel shall speak only to the Court, except for questioning witnesses
and, in opening and closing, addressing the jury;
(6) counsel shall not address questions or remarks to opposing counsel
without first obtaining permission from the Court to do so. Appropriate and quiet informal
consultations among counsel off the record are not precluded so long as this does not delay or
disrupt the progress of the proceedings;
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(7) in making an objection, counsel shall state plainly and briefly the
specific legal ground of objection and shall not engage in argument, unless requested or
permitted by the Court to do so;
(8) only one attorney for each party shall make objections to the
testimony of a witness when being questioned by an opposing party. The objection shall be
made by the attorney who has conducted or is to conduct the examination of the witness;
(9) counsel shall not conduct an experiment or demonstration
without Court permission;
(10) contact with law clerks is ex parte contact with the Court. Contact
with the Court should be through the judicial assistant or the Clerk of Court;
(11) counsel should not participate in a trial as an attorney if he or she
may be called as a material witness;
(12) counsel are responsible for advising their clients, witnesses, and
associate counsel about proper courtroom behavior.
(e) Application to Pro Se Parties.
This rule applies equally to pro se parties as to counsel.
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