It is generally understood that professionalism is not an expansive subject in the law school curriculum, the result being that many new lawyers think that strict adherence to the Rules of Civil Procedure is all that is expected in practice. Also, lawyers used to learn lessons of professionalism by the example of their preceptors, which is no longer the situation. The Professionalism Committee feels strongly that the new Professionalism-Applying the Golden Rule to Practicing Law videotape can be a valuable tool for augmenting the knowledge young lawyers have from their recent law school experience and filling in any gaps.

Content
Produced by the PBA Professionalism Committee and the PBI, this new videotape presentation addresses the issue of professionalism in the practice of law. It was developed for use as a CLE program (one hour of ethics credit) but may also be used in other forums. The presentation can add a valuable dimension to bar gatherings, admission ceremonies, bench-bar conferences, and lunch-and-learn gatherings.

Running time is approximately one hour. The content comprises a series of vignettes that present the following topics:
Establishing the Attorney-Client Privilege
Pre-Trial Discovery Abuses
The Need for Truthfulness
Transactional Professionalism
Professionalism at the Trial.

The vignettes are followed by panel discussions that address the scenarios and issues presented. It is a well organized, succinct but thorough presentation of key issues.

CLE Presentations and Coordination

There are three options for videotape presentation:

1) County bar associations may schedule a presentation in conjunction with the PBI. This presentation may be independent of any other event or it may be incorporated into another county bar activity, such as a bench-bar conference.

2) County bar associations may license the videotape for accredited presentations. The county bar association would serve as the CLE provider and would be responsible for compliance with all CLE Board regulations and for reporting credits to the CLE Board.

3) County bar associations, law firms and other organizations may purchase the videotape for $10 for presentations that are not shown for CLE credit. The cost includes one set of course materials.

For more information on the options stated above or to obtain a copy of the videotape, please contact Stacey Thomas at the PBI.