4. CIVILITY STANDARDS DEVELOPED FOR FAMILY LAWYERS

The Section of Family Law has established civility standards [PDF] for lawyers to observe in their contacts with clients, opposing counsel, and the courts.

Among the 23 brief standards:

• Try to keep the client on an even emotional keel and avoid characterizing the actions of the other party, opposing lawyers, and judicial officials in emotional terms.
• Do not assist a client in pursuing a claim for primary custody or visitation where the purpose of the claim is to obtain bargaining leverage in order to achieve a purely economic objective.
• Honor reasonable requests for routine extensions of time, unless a client’s position will be adversely and materially affected.
• Do not utilize the manner of service of pleadings or discovery requests to disadvantage the opposing counsel.
• Avoid frivolous litigation and non-essential pleading in litigation.
• Strive to protect the dignity and independence of the judiciary, particularly from unjust criticism and attack.

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