Attorney’s Oath Now Includes a Vow to be Civil
By Hoge Fenton | 05.7.2014 | Firm Post
Future admittees to the California State Bar must now vow to be civil under the new California Rule of Court, Rule 9.4. On May 1, 2014, the California Supreme Court adopted the following revision to the oath that attorneys take when admitted to the bar: “As an officer of the court, I will strive to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy, and integrity.”
The revised oath is a new attempt to inject civility and professionalism into the legal profession and follows a recent trend, not only in case law but in disciplinary proceedings, to hold attorneys accountable for failing to be dignified and courteous. Former Business & Professions Code section 6068(f), which required attorneys to refrain from any “offensive personality,” was stricken as vague in 2001. New admittees will take the revised oath at upcoming swearing-in ceremonies.
For advice relating to an attorney’s ethical and legal responsibilities, please contact one of the members of Hoge Fenton’s Ethics and Professional Liability group.
