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THE TEXAS LAWYER'S CREED— <br /> A MANDATE FOR PROFESSIONALISM <br /> Adopted November 7, 1989 <br /> Table of Contents <br /> ORDER OF ADOPTION 1. Our Legal System <br /> THE TEXAS LAWYER'S CREED–A MANDATE FOR 11. Lawyer to Client. <br /> PROFESSIONALISM III. Lawyer to Lawyer. <br /> IV. Lawyer to Judge. <br /> ORDER OF ADOPTION <br /> The conduct of a lawyer should be characterized and finally when necessary by enforcement by the <br /> at all times by honesty, candor, and fairness. In courts through their inherent powers and rules already <br /> fulfilling his or her primary duty to a client, a lawyer in existence. <br /> must be ever mindful of the profession's broader duty These standards are not a set of rules that lawyers <br /> to the legal system. can use and abuse to incite ancillary litigation or <br /> The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of arguments over whether or not they have been <br /> Criminal Appeals are committed to eliminating a observed. <br /> practice in our State by a minority of lawyers of We must always be mindful that the practice of <br /> abusive tactics which have surfaced in many parts of law is a profession. As members of a learned art we <br /> our country. We believe such tactics are a disservice pursue a common calling in the spirit of public <br /> to our citizens, harmful to clients, and demeaning to service. We have a proud tradition. Throughout the <br /> our profession. history of our nation, the members of our citizenry <br /> The abusive tactics range from lack of civility to have looked to the ranks of our profession for <br /> outright hostility and obstructionism. Such behavior leadership and guidance. Let us now as a profession <br /> does not serve justice but tends to delay and often each rededicate ourselves to practice law so we can <br /> deny justice. The lawyers who use abusive tactics restore public confidence in our profession, faithfully <br /> instead of being part of the solution have become part serve our clients, and fulfill our responsibility to the <br /> of the problem. legal system. <br /> The desire for respect and confidence by lawyers The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of <br /> from the public should provide the members of our Criminal Appeals hereby promulgate and adopt"The <br /> profession with the necessary incentive to attain the Texas Lawyer's Creed–A Mandate for <br /> highest degree of ethical and professional conduct. Professionalism" as attached hereto and made a part <br /> These rules are primarily aspirational. Compliance hereof. <br /> with the rules depends primarily upon understanding In Chambers,this 7th day of November, 1989. <br /> and voluntary compliance, secondarily upon <br /> re-enforcement by peer pressure and public opinion, <br />