Practicing With Professionalism - South Carolina Bar Association

DBA PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONALISM
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SCHEDULING
L We will endeavor to schedule hearings, depositions or other
matters,by,agreement with opposing counsel.
2. We will give ~g counsel DDtice ofcmceJlation oChearings.
deposition:". and othermatters :at the earliest possible time.
3. We.wiI! ~~.~ns ~~eJpents"forthe ~
ofharassment or to prolong. delay, orincrease the cost or com-
, plexity ofany matter.
4. In scheduling matters. including requests for re:asotl3bIe extensions
oftime. we will actin a spirit ofc:ooper:ation and :accommodation.
We will actwith consideration of the need for expediting
the litigation ortransaction and the professional and personal
schedules ofothers,involved. We will raise scheduling conflicts
only when they :ae:tuaDy exist.
USE OF FAX OR OrnER DATA-TRANsMISSION
TECHNOLOGIES
L We will use FAX orotherdata-transmissiontecbnologies only
:as an eflicie.tJt means ofcommunication :and not :as a means of
obtaining an unfair advantage. The use of such technologies
(mduding digital pagers) does not require receiving counsel to
discontinue othermatters to respond.
2. We will honor I'e2SOn:able requests to retransmit materials or
to Provide h:axd CXJPies.
Dl$COVERY
L We,will not use any fOllD ofdisam:ry Or discovery scheduling
as a means ofb:ar.!ssing anyone orforthe purpose ofobstIucting
the pmseoition ordefense ofthe case.
2. Wev.rill only use definitions and instruc:tions in written disc:ov-,
cry that :an: pertinent.. "c.Ie:u; and CXlDCise..
3. We will object to disCovery Duly when we have a good faith
bdiefin the meritofthe objection.
4., We will notlightly seek court ~ons.
5. 'We will resporid to :written discovery requests reasonably and
will not sb::ain to interpret requests in anartificiaDy restrictive
manner to avoid disclosure ofrele.v:ant and non-privileged information..
We will not produce dooJments in a manner designed to
hide orobscure the exiStence ofpanicul:ar documents.
CoNDucr DURIN~ DEPOsmONS
L We will conduct ourselves in depositions with,the same courtesy
and respect :as is e:xpected in court.
2. We will notc:onduct,e::xa:min:ations orengage in other behavior"
which is purposelyoffensiv.e. demeaning. hanssini, intimidating.
orwhich urmec=rilyinvades the priv;aCy ofanyone.
3. Usensitive orcontroversial mar:t:ets are to be inquired into in a
deposition. counsel'should consider discussing those matters with
opposing counsel in adv:mce. When awropriate. we win attempt
to engage in meaningful dialogue with opposing counsel for the
purpose of exploring agreements regarding the scope ofthe
examination and the use ofthe information after the deposition.
4. We will attempt to minimize arguments.
S. We will not smoke in depositions without the consent ofall
~t
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6.' We willrefi:ain from coac:bing deponents by objecting. commenting.
or otherwise acting in a manner which suggests a particular
answer to a question.'
7. We will not oiject fOr the purpose ofdisrupting ordistrdcting
the questioner orthe witness. We will objectonly in the manner
provided by the rules.
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8. We will not intemJpt the examination for an olf-the-recom conference
with the deponent fOr the purpose ofobstructing the
deposition orc:oaclUng the witness.
9. We will not intentionally misstate bets ormisc:harclcterize
prior strtements or testimon)C.
MOTIONS AND CoNDUCT IN COURT
L We will saupulollsly ~id rnis1eadiItg the court ~ ourpresentation
of the law, facts. c:ase history orpnx:edure.
2. We will lie bmi1iarwith the issues to be addressed by the
court.
3.We will oD1y make ol:;ec:iions which :ire c:onc:ise. specific.. and
have'3 SOUDd legal basis..
4. We will notimpute improper motives to otherbwyers ormake
any statements that impugn their char:ac:ter UJl1ess de3rly justified
by the bets and essential-tO the resolutiOn ofan issue. .
S. We will demonstrate~and ~forthe muttand its
staffat all times. When in court.' we will stand when the judge
andjUry ent:e:l; when addressing thejudge. and when the judge
andjuryleave. unless ~e (:IJStom and pr.aaicc ofa particular
.court is different. "
6. We will avoid taIkingat the S31:ge time as the court. each other
or the witness.
7. We will dress appropriately in court.
8~ We will ~ transmit ~es 'of c:ot:reSPOnd~ to the court
UJl1ess requested or encour.aged by the courtorrequired by e:xtr.l-
. otdinaryciJ:c.unstanc:es.:
9. We wiD not eng;age the courtstaffin e:x partecommunications
concerning the merits of3 pending c:ase. ask the court stafffor an
indication ofhow thejudge may rUle, orask the court stafffor
legal advice..
' .., lQ.wewillreSpec:t:fullyseek permissiOnbeCore continuing to
argue after the courtbas niled.
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Adopted by the Denver BarAssociation Board ofTrustees on
April 18. 1996.
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