A PROFILE IN PROFESSIONALISM

Throughout the Texas Lawyers Creed – Mandate for Professionalism, the key words honesty, integrity, morality, credibility, candor, fairness, responsibility, civility and preparation rise to the surface to clearly define and prescribe the standards expected of lawyers in the performance of our profession.

Nick C. Nichols Partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Matthews & Friend

These ethical standards for professionalism guide and direct the fundamentals of our legal system and the proper representation of our clients as well. In my opinion, the true definition of professionalism is, quite simply, PLAYING BY THE RULES. Playing by the rules demands:

We became professionals the day we took our oath. Playing by the rules should be our code of conduct exemplified in our finest scholarly, moral and ethical attributes that we take to work every single day regardless of the arena, the circumstances or the competition. The true professional will not waiver or be tempted to overreact to Rambo behavior or unethical conduct by opposing counsel. The true professional represents his client with the highest degree of honesty, integrity, responsibility, civility, courtesy and always plays by the rules.

Scholars define professionalism as the art of having assured competence handling matters within the individual’s expertise and experience. Many lawyers possess a high degree of competence, expertise and experience, but I believe the true professional is one who exercises these while always playing by the rules. The practice of law will remain an honorable and valued pursuit as long as each of us continues to aspire to the lofty principles of true professionalism.

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