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<br />7. I will respect the rulings of the Court. <br />8. I will give the issues in controversy <br />deliberate, impartial and studied analysis and <br />consideration. <br />9. I will be considerate of the time <br />constraints and pressures imposed upon the <br />Court, Court staff and counsel in efforts to <br />administer justice and resolve disputes. <br /> <br />ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF <br />TEXAS AND THE COURT OF CRIMINAL <br />APPEALS <br /> <br />The conduct of a lawyer should be characterized <br />at all times by honesty, candor, and fairness. In <br />fulfilling his or her primary duty to a client, a <br />lawyer must be ever mindful of the profession's <br />broader duty to the legal system. <br /> <br />The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of <br />Criminal Appeals are committed to eliminating a <br />practice in our State by a minority of lawyers of <br />abusive tactics which have surfaced in many <br />parts of our country. We believe such tactics are <br />a disservice to our citizens, harmful to clients, <br />and demeaning to our profession. <br /> <br />The abusive tactics range from lack of civility to <br />outright hostility and obstructionism. Such <br />behavior does not serve justice but tends to delay <br />and often deny justice. The lawyers who use <br />abusive tactics instead of being part of the <br />solution have become part of the problem. <br /> <br />The desire for respect and confidence by lawyers <br />from the public should provide the members of <br />our profession with the necessary incentive to <br />attain the highest degree of ethical and <br />professional conduct. These rules are primarily <br />aspirational. Compliance with the rules depends <br />primarily upon understanding and voluntary <br />compliance, secondarily upon re-enforcement by <br />peer pressure and public opinion, and [mally <br />when necessary by enforcement by the courts <br />through their inherent powers and rules already <br />in existence. <br /> <br />These standards are not a set of rules that <br />lawyers can use and abuse to incite ancillary <br />litigation or arguments over whether or not they <br />have been observed. <br /> <br />We must always be mindful that the practice of <br />law is a profession. As members of a learned art <br />we pursue a common calling in the spirit of <br /> <br />688743.1 <br /> <br />public service. We have a proud tradition. <br />Throughout the history of our nation, the <br />members of our citizenry have looked to the <br />ranks of our profession for leadership and <br />guidance. Let us now as a profession each <br />rededicate ourselves to practice law so we can <br />restore public confidence in our profession, <br />faithfully serve our clients, and fulfill our <br />responsibility to the legal system. <br /> <br />The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of <br />Criminal Appeals hereby promulgate and adopt <br />"The Texas Lawyer's Creed - A Mandate for <br />Professionalism" as attached hereto and made a <br />part hereof. <br /> <br />In Chambers, this 7th day of November, <br />1989. <br />The Supreme Court of Texas <br /> <br />Thomas. R. Phillips, Chief Justice <br />Franklin S. Spears <br />C. L. Ray <br />Raul A. Gonzales <br />Oscar H. Mauzy <br />Eugene A. Cook <br />Jack Hightower <br />Nathan L. Hecht <br />Lloyd A. Doggett <br />Justices <br /> <br />The Court of Criminal Appeals <br /> <br />Michael J. McCormick, Presiding Judge <br />W. C. Davis <br />Same Houston Clinton <br />Marvin O. Teague <br />Chuck Miller <br />Charles F. (Chuck) Campbell <br />Bill White <br />M. P. Duncan, III <br />David A. Berchelmann, Jr. <br />Judges <br />