A PROFILE IN PROFESSIONALISM

Kelly Frels Bracewell & Giuliani LLP Past President, Houston Bar Association Past President, State Bar of Texas

"Shouldn’t we start with doing what is right?” A third year law student asked this question at a recent Houston Bar Association Professionalism Day. Impressed with the depth of this simple question, all three of us presenting at the small group session responded almost in unison “of course.”

Professionalism does begin with doing what is right. Treating your client, other counsel and their clients, judges and all involved as you would expect to be treated is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a demonstration of respect for our fellow humans and a reinforcement of our system of justice.

It is tempting to stray from treating others with respect when other lawyers and their clients aggressively cross the line of civility. The urge to join the fray is often reinforced by a client who wants you to retaliate or independently extract a piece of flesh. The years have shown me that being true to myself and to the oath I took as a lawyer on September 18, 1970, are far more important than compromising my integrity or principles to satisfy a client’s uncivil demands. Such clients will probably never be satisfied, and in all likelihood, they will not be your clients for long.