Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-13
ETHICS OF THE BAR.
.ur RICHMOND ASSOCIATION OF
LAWYERS ADOPTS A CODE.
SCHEME OF PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE
popid Growth OF tho Organizations
thirteen Years OF Progress and De-
vciopmcnt-Facts About It's objects,
membership, and Library.

bright with promise. 1t has been found
powerful instrument in producing more
socabllity and intimacy between the
members OF the legal profession, and has
done not a little TO sustain the dignity
and honor Of the bar In Richmond. 10
facilitate the administration OF Justice.
and to promote legal science.
OF the seventy-nine members who
s.cned the first roll Of the association IN
september 1855, only thirty-nine remain.
set to-day there are l27 members. and all
src active in the interests Of the organi-
cation. Headquarters are comfortably es-
tollshod on the fourth floor of the CITY
Han, and the association boasts useful
and valuable reference library OF s75 vol.
Gmos.
THE CODE OF ETHICS.
The purity and efficiency Of judicial adj
m.nlstration. which, under our system is
largely government itself. depends as
much upon the character. conduct. and
demeanor OF attorneys in their great
trust, as upon the fidelity and learning
o. courts or the honesty and intelligence
o. .uries.
There Is. perhaps. no profession. after
that OF the sacred ministry. in which a
hIeh-toned morality is more imperatiyely
necessary than that OF the law. There is
certainly without exception. no profes-
sion in which so many temptations beset
the path 10 swerve from the lines of
strict integrity In which so many deli
cate and difficult questions Of duty are
constantly arising. There are pitfalls
and man-traps at every step. and the
mere youth at the very outset of his
career needs often the prudence of self
denial as well as the moral courage
which belong commonly 10 rlper years.
High moral principle is HIS only safe
guide; the only torch TO light his way
amidst darkness and obstruction. "-Shars-
wood.
40 rule will determine an attorneys
duty in the varying phases Of every case.
W hat is right and proper must in The
absence Of statutory rules and an autho-
riiative code, be ascertained in view of
the peculiar facts, in the light of con-
science, and the conduct OF honorable
and distinguished attorneys in similar
cases, and by the analogy 10 the duties
enioined by statute and the rules Of good
neishborhood.
The following general rules have been
adopted by the Bar Association Of the
city Of Richmond for the guidance Of its
members.
attorneys DUTY TO THE COURT.
I. The respect enjoined by law for
courts and judicial officers Is exacted for
the sake of the Office, and not for the
Individual who administers It, Bad Opin-
Jon OF the incumbent. however we'll found
ed. cannot excuse the Withholding of the
respect due the Office, while administer
Ing its functions.
2. The proprieties of the judicial station,
81 a great measure, disable the judge
from defending himself against structures
upon his official conduct. For this reason,
and because such criticisms tend 10 i'm
pair public confidence in the adminstra-
ton Of Justice. attorneys should. as a
rule. refrain from published criticism Of
judicial conduct. especially in reference
% causes in which they have been of
counsel, otherwise than in courts OF re-
view, or when the conduct Of the Judge is
necessarily involved in determining his
removal from. or continuance in, Office.
9. Marked attention and unusual hos
pitaiity 10 a judge. when the relations
~ the parties are such that they would
not otherwise be extended, subject both
judge and attorney to misconstruction,
and should be sedulously avoided A self
respecting independence in the discharge
of the attorneys duties. which at the
same time does not withhold the
courtesy and respect due to the judges
station. is the only just foundation for
cordial, personal and official relations
between bench and bar. All attempts by
means beyond these TO gain special per-
sonal consideration and favor of a judge
are disreputable.
THEIR DUTY TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS
g. Courts and judicial officers. in the
Ightful exercise of their functions, should
always receive the support and counte-
nance Of attorneys against unjust criti-
c.sm and popular clamor; and It is an at
torney's duty to give them his moral sup
port In all proper ways. and particularly
by setting a good example in his own
person Of obedience to law.
3. The utmost candor and fairness
should characterize the dealings Of at
t0rneys with the courts and with each
other knowingly citing as authority an
oyeruled case, or reading repealed
statute as in existence; knowingly mis-
quoting the language Of decision of a
textbook; knowingly misstating the con-
tents Of paper. the testimony Of wit
ness. or the language or arguments Of
the opposite counsel; offering evidence
which IL Is known the Court must reject
as Illegal. 70 get II before the jury under
the guise Of arguing it's admissibility, and
al kindred practices are deceits and
eYasiOns unworthy of attorneys.
PurpOsely concealing or Withholding in
the opening arguments, positions intended
finally TO be relied on, in order that
The opposite counsel may not discuss
them Is unprofessional. Courts and juries
look with disfavor on such practices, and
are quick 10 suspect the weakness OF the
cause which has need 70 resort TO them.
In the argument Of demurrers, admis-
sion OF evidence, and other questions OF
law. counsel should carefully refrain
from side bar" remarks and sparring
discourse to influence the jury or by
ISLANDERS. Personal colleagues between
counsel tend TO delay and promote I'M
teemly wrangling, and ought 10 be dis
c0uraged.
g. Attorneys owe II TO the courts, and
the public whose business the courts
transact, as well as 10 their own clients.
10 be punctual In attendance on their
causes; and whenever an attorney Is late
be should apologize or explain his abb
seEce.
l. One side must always lose the cause
and Il is not wise or respectful 10 the
Court for attorneys 10 display temper
because Of an adverse ruling.
DUTIES OF ATTORNEYS TO EACH
OTHER.
s. An attorney should strive AT all
times. TO uphold the honor, maintain the
dignity. and promote the usefulness OF
the profession; for Il Is so interviewer
With the administration Of justice, that
whatever rebounds to the good OF one
advances the other; and the attorney
thus DISCHARGES not merely an ODlgd-