Professionalism Our Lifeline

Dear Colleague:

As members of the bar, we must all take responsibility to promote the integrity of the legal profession and to improve the public's perception of lawyers. As the first step, we must respect the professional obligations we have to one another.

To that end, in May 1988, the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates authorized the PBA Professionalism Committee to develop a program to enhance the professionalism of lawyers in Pennsylvania. Following a thorough review, the committee drafted its Working Rules for Professionalism. At the 1992 PBA Annual Meeting, the House of Delegates set a goal of having all lawyers in Pennsylvania endorse these rules in writing. The Ultimate goal is that, through written endorsement, we be reminded constantly that we all must practice law with civility. This will not only benefit the profession, but also clients and all others with whom we come in daily contact.

Please join this effort by endorsing the rules and return your signed endorsement today.

Hon. Abraham J. Gafni, Chair, PBA Professionalism Committee

PBA Working Rules for Professionalism

The practice of law is a profession, a genuine calling inspirited with service to the system of justice, not a common business enterprise. The quality of the profession is only as worthy as the character of the people who practice it.

Self esteem, shared respect for each other, the clients we serve, the judges and the officers with whom we work, are essential to it.

Civility is a virtue, not a shortcoming. Willingness to temper zeal with respect for society's interest in preserving responsible judicial process will help to reserve it.

Unwritten rules of professional courtesy have long sustained us. Since they are sometimes forgotten, or sometimes ignored, we should set them down again and conscientiously observe them.