The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-02-07

God, to be faithful to the republic an,
the canton Of Geneva; never to de
part from the respect due to the tri
bunals and authorities; never u
counsel or maintain cause. whicl
: does not appear to be just or equita
BILE, unless it be the defense Of an &C
cused person; never to employ know
ingly, for the purpose of maintain
ing the cause conflded to me, an,
means contrary to truth, and neve
seek to mislead the judges by any ar
tifice or false statement, OF fact o.
law; to abstain from all offensive
personality, and to advance no fac
contrary to the honor or reputation
of the parties, If it be not indispensa
Bile to the cause with which may be
charged; not to encourage! either the
commencement or continuance Of g
suit from any motive of passion or in.
terest; not to reject for any consider.
alton personal to myself the cause OF
the weak, the stranger, or the op-
pressed" ''''' 49,.
An exceedingly able code Of ethics
was recently adopted BY the Ameri-
can Bar Association, and for the bene-
fit Of the younger members Of the pro-
fession we deem this an appropriate
occasion to reproduce. certain of its
canons, which are as follows:
1T ID the right OF lawyer to un-
dertake the defense of a person accus-
ed of crime, regardless Of his person.
al opinion as to the guilt Of the &C
cused; otherwise innocent persons,
victims only Of suspicious circumstan-
ces, might be denied. proper defense.
Efforts, direct or Indirect; In any
way, to encroach upon the business Of
another lawyer, " are unworthy Of
those, who should be brethren at the
Bar; but, nevertheless, 1t is the right
of any lawyer, without fear or favor,
to give advice to those seeking relief,
against unfaithful or neglectful coun-
sci, generally after communication
with the lawyer, of'whom the COM
plant Is made.
"a lawyer should not, in any way,
communicate upon the subject of con-
troversy with party represented by
counsel, much less should he under
take to negotiate or compromise the
matter with him, but should deal only
with his counsel. 1t Is incumbent up
on the lawyer most particularly to
avoid every thing that may tend to
mislead a party not represented by
counsel, and he should not undertake
to advise him as to the law.
"The lawyer should not purchase
any interest in the subject matter Of
the litigation which he Is conducting.
Money Of the client or other trust
property coming into the possession
Of. the lawyer, should be reported
promptly, and except with the clients
knowledge and consent should not be
commingled with his private proper
ty, or be used by him. ..-
Contingent fees, where sanctioned
by law, should be under the supervis-
ion of the Court, In order that clients
may be protected from unjust charg-
eS.
controversies with clients concern
ing compensation are to be avoided
by the lawyer, so far as shall be COM
patible with his self-respect, and with
his. right to receive reasonable COM
pensation, for his services; and law
suits with clients should be resorted
to only to prevent injustice, imposi-
ton or fraud.
"It is proper for lawyer to assert
in argument his personal belief In his
clients innocence, or In justice Of his
cause. -'
"The Office of attorney does not per-
NIT, much less does it demand Of him
| for any client, violation Of law or any
manner of fraud or chicane. He must
obey his own conscience, and not that
| Of his client. :. .
"a lawyer should always treat ad-
verse witnesses and suitors with fair
ness and due consideration, and he
should never minister to the. malsVol-
ence or prejudice of client in the
trial or conduct of a case. The client
can not be made the keeper OF the
lawyers conscience in professional
matters. He has no right to demand
that his counsel shall abuse opposite
party, or indulge in offensive person
alties.
"When a lawyer Is a witness for his
client, except as to merely formal
matters, such as the attestation or
custody of an instrument or the like,
he should leave the trial of the case
to the other counsel. Except when ss-
sential to the ends of justice, a law
yer should avoid testifying In Court
in behalf Of his client.
"It is unprofessional and dishonor-
able to deal other than candidly with
the facts, in taking the statements OF
witnesses, in drawing affadivits and
othor documents and in the presenta-