Introduction
The OSB Professionalism Commission warmly welcomes Oregon’s
new lawyers and provides this page as a resource. The role of lawyers and
judges is to help people in our legal system simultaneously exercise their
rights and to reach the common good under a rule of law. Professionalism is
vital to serving our clients and striving toward the public good.
Professionalism is not only the right thing to do—it is the most
effective tool available to a lawyer in representing a client. Professionalism
is a source of credibility in working with the client, opposing counsel, court
and jury. The OSB Professionalism
Commission welcomes inquiries from new lawyers.
Resources –
Statements of Professionalism
Oregon State Bar
Approved by the Oregon Supreme Court and effective
November 16, 2006
United States
District Court for the District of Oregon
Effective June 1,
2006
Multnomah Bar Association – Commitment to Professionalism
Adopted June 1, 2004
http://www.mbabar.org/docs/Profcertorder.pdf
Multnomah County
Deposition Guidelines
Approved September 1992 and Revised December 1992
Resources – Articles
OSB Bulletin - May 2010
Judges and Lawyers in Partnership: The Practical Rationale for Professionalism
By Hon. John V. Acosta and Richard J. Vangelisti
This article explores the rationale for professionalism as well as when and how to bring issues of unprofessional conduct to the attention of the court.
OSB Bulletin - May 2010
Professionalism: A Judge's Perspective
By Hon. John V. Acosta
This article explains the authority of a court to address issues of professionalism as well as when and how the court should respond.
Multnomah Lawyer - June 2009
Remarks by MBA Professionalism Award Recipient
Judy Danelle Snyder
This professionalism award recipient urges members of the bar to reaffirm their commitment to the highest standards of professionalism. See page 9 of this link.
OSB Bulletin – May 2005
Why be Professional?
By Ira Zarov
This article explores the critical questions of what are the
circumstances that foster unprofessional behavior and why be professional.
OSB Bulletin – April 2005
Professionalism: Why we should care
By Nena Cook
This message from former OSB President Nena Cook explains to
graduating law students that the legacy each lawyer leaves behind is measured
by one thing—our professionalism
OSB Bulletin – August/September 2007
Professionalism for Litigation and Courtroom Practice
By Hon. Daniel L. Harris and Hon. John V. Acosta
This article provides daily practices that not only will
improve the quality of a lawyer’s professional life, but will also make a
lawyer a more effective advocate for the client.
OSB Bulletin – October 2008
Shooting Ourselves in the Foot
Avoiding Personal Attacks
By Richard C. Baldwin
This article describes how personal attacks on opposing counsel in trial diminish a lawyer's own effectiveness and demean our judicial system in the eyes of the public.
OSB Bulletin – May 2008
The Unprofessionalism Challenge
Professional strategies for dealing with others’ conduct
By Richard J. Vangelisti
This article provides some concrete steps a lawyer may take
when faced with unprofessionalism by another lawyer.
OSB Bulletin – April 2002
Is Winning Everything?
‘Professionalism’ doesn’t have to mean ‘doormat’
By Peter M. Appleton
This author describes “hard ball” litigation and provides
some general strategies that lawyers, bar associations and the judiciary can
use to promote professionalism.
OSB Bulletin – August/September 2003
Best Practices: Defining, and promoting, professionalism
By Cliff Collins
This article describes the establishment and active role of
the OSB Joint Bench/Bar Commission on Professionalism.
OSB Bulletin – August/September 2001
Aiming at Nothing, and Seldom Missing
By Alan G. Greer
This author argues that lawyers should strive for self
respect and that public good from our work will follow.
