Oregon Bench and Bar Commission on Professionalism – Resources

Resources – Articles

The following articles introduce and expound upon a variety of professionalism concepts, and provide guidance on promoting the ideals of professionalism within specific areas of law.

• OSB Bulletin - May 2014
  On Professionalism – Grace Under Pressure: Professionalism Called for in Criminal Law
  By Jeff Howes and John Connors
  This article covers concerns about unprofessional behavior of criminal law attorneys in Oregon from an unscientific poll of judges, including: personal attacks by opposing counsel; lack of preparation; punctuality; and social-media use.
• OSB Bulletin - December 2013
  On Professionalism – Professionalism and the Rules: When Bad Behavior Crosses the Line
  By Scott Morrill
  This article distinguishes between civility and unprofessionalism by acknowledging that the RPCs do not give the OSB general authority to discipline rude or discourteous attorneys, yet highlighting the RPCs that do control some unprofessional conduct.
• OSB Bulletin - November 2013
  On Professionalism – Professionalism in Mediation: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
  By Richard G. Spier
  This article focuses on eleven unprofessional lapses lawyers make before and during mediation.
• OSB Bulletin - July 2013
  On Professionalism – The Authentic Self: Moral Dissonance and the Practice of Law
  By Don Lundberg
  This article focuses on reconciling an attorney's personal moral values with the sometimes conflicting requirements of an attorney's job.
• OSB Bulletin - May 2013
  On Professionalism – Tips for Fostering Civility in Business Transactions
  By Richard A. Canaday
  This article provides practical advice on better serving business clients through a professional approach.
• OSB Bulletin - February/March 2013
  Is Some Behavior Ethical But Improper? – The Intersection of Professionalism and the Disciplinary Process
  By Arden J. Olson
  This article argues that a meaningful discussion about professionalism should start with clarifying the distinction between professionalism and ethics.
• OSB Bulletin - December 2011
  On Professionalism – Professional Goldfish: Yearning for a Higher Standard
  By Rachael Federico
  This second-year law student explains that law students are looking to practicing attorneys to be their guides and professional role models even before graduation from law school.
• 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.
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  Special Issue on Professionalism
  The entire issue PDF is available here, separate articles are individually linked below.
  

• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  Why ‘Kill All the Lawyers’?
  By Hon. Wallace P. Carson Jr. and Barrie J. Herbold
  How Shakespeare helps us define professionalism for Oregon's lawyers and judges
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  How We Can Make a Difference
  By Albert Menache
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  Winning Isn't the Only Thing
  By Michael Long
  Is bar membership a license to abuse others?
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  The Topic is Civility
  By Robert C. Josefsberg
  You got a problem with that?
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  Managing Your Practice
  By Agnes Sowle
  Professionalism: Lifestyle or lip service?
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1999
  Parting Thoughts
  By Joan Seitz
  Professionalism, Viewed from the Bench
  

• OSB Bulletin – August/September 1994
  A Call for Action
  By Edwin J. Peterson
  Firms and individual lawyers have a duty to make the system work – for everyone.
  
• OSB Bulletin – January 1984
  Preofessionalism – Are We Losing It?
  By Chief Justice Edwin J. Peterson
  Chief Justice Peterson demonstrates in his article that professionalism is in the economic best interest of clients, the legal profession, and the public.