Standards of Practice

The following are principles intended to guide attorneys in practicing in the Northern District of Oklahoma: (a) In fulfilling his or her primary duty to the client, a lawyer must be ever conscious of the broader duty to the judicial system that serves both attorney and client. (b) A lawyer owes, to the judiciary, candor, diligence, and utmost respect. (c) A lawyer owes, to opposing counsel, a duty of courtesy and cooperation, the observance of which is necessary for the efficient administration of our system of justice and the respect of the public it serves. (d) A lawyer owes, to the administration of justice, the fundamental duties of personal dignity and professional integrity.

(e) Lawyers shall treat each other, the opposing party, the Court, and members of the Court staff with courtesy and civility and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Northern District of Oklahoma Local Rules Page 16 of 90 Effective Date: 10/10/2024 (f) A client has no right to demand that counsel abuse the opposite party or indulge in offensive conduct. A lawyer shall always treat adverse witnesses and litigants with fairness and due consideration. (g) In adversary proceedings, clients are litigants and though ill feeling may exist between clients, such ill feeling shall not influence a lawyer’s conduct, attitude, or demeanor towards opposing lawyers.

(h) A lawyer shall not use any form of discovery, or the scheduling of discovery, as a means of harassing opposing counsel or counsel’s client. (i) Lawyers shall be punctual in communications with others and in honoring scheduled appearances and shall recognize that neglect and tardiness are demeaning to the lawyer and to the judicial system. (j) If a fellow member of the bar makes a just request for cooperation, or seeks scheduling accommodation, a lawyer shall not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold consent. (k) Effective advocacy does not require antagonistic or obnoxious behavior and members of the bar shall adhere to the higher standard of conduct which judges, lawyers, clients, and the public may rightfully expect.