1. Professionalism: The Route to Success in the 21st Century
Mag Ritchey
Hall of Fame CLE
December 29, 2016

2. Challenges to Success in the Legal Profession in the 21st Century
Free access to legal information via Internet
Legal forms available on-line
Low public opinion of lawyers
Movie and television portrayal of attorney incivility as the norm

3. Atticus Finch?

4. Tom Hagan?

5. John Milton?

6. Public Perception
In a 2008 Gallup Poll only 18% of those surveyed would rate the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers as “high” or “very high,” garnering a lower rating than, for example, medical doctors (64%), bankers (23%) and building contractors (22%).
An ABA Section of Litigation survey found that 69% of those polled agreed that lawyers are more interested in making money than in serving their clients.
Moreover, 57% believed that most lawyers are more concerned with their own self-promotion than their client’s best interests.

7. 30-Year History
In 1986, ABA Commission on Professionalism’s report made recommendations for rekindling a sense of professionalism among lawyers.
In 1992, Louisiana’s Code of Professionalism was adopted.
In 1997 by order of Louisiana Supreme Court, 15-hour CLE requirement must include 1 hour of professionalism.

8. Today’s Goal
Today we will examine professionalism as the route to success in the legal profession in the 21st century.

9. Definitions of Professionalism
Attempts to define are often vague:
Dean Roscoe Pound: “…pursuing a learned art as a common calling in the spirit of public service...”
Apply Justice Potter Stewart - “I know it when I see it.”
Justice Clark, Georgia Supreme Court – “Professionalism differs from ethics in the sense that ethics is a minimum standard…while professionalism is a higher standard.”
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10. Ethics vs. Professionalism
The Code of Ethics is a very specific list of rules that are:
Mandatory for attorneys.
Carry penalties for infraction.
Represent the floor of acceptable conduct.
The Code of Professionalism:
Is aspirational.
Encouraged not mandated.
No disciplinary penalties for infraction.
Represent a higher standard.

11. What IS Professionalism?
Civility
Competence
Commitment

12. Civility
Our work is adversarial. We aim to zealously represent and defend our clients.
Civility is the act of being able to politely disagree during discourse and the ability to remain respectful in the midst of a tense situation.

13. Angry lawyer goes off the deep end

14. Lawyer’s Oath - Civility
•Respect the courts. •Employ means that are consistent with truth and honor. •Maintain client confidentiality. •Act with fairness, integrity, and civility toward opposing parties in court and in all communications. •Abstain from all offensive personality.

15. Competence
Information vs judgment and wisdom

16. Old Speed
New Speed

19. SLOW DOWN !!!
Cortisol is the stress hormone. When your cortisol is raging, lie on floor or bed with head flat and legs elevated.
Meditation – slow down the speeding brain.

20. Commitment
Service to others
Give and Take

21. Resources CLE Mentorship Inns of Court Public service – pro bono
Alternative Dispute Resolution
2civility.org

22. Final Words Civility - Be nice Competence - Know your stuff
Commitment - Serve others