The American College of Trial Lawyers is recognized as the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America, Founded in 1950, the College is dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on important legal issues relating to its mission. The College strongly supports the independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.
This program on professionalism will cover several different scenarios, presented via video vignettes, to further discussion of ethics and professionalism. The presenters will further the discussion of each scenario by analyzing the issues in light of the ABA Model Rules (which form the basis of most states’ ethical rules), the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, and the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct.
Panelists include:
Charles “Chuck” P. Boring, Moderator
Dennis T. Cathey
Norman Barnett
Claudia Saari
This program is an outgrowth of the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct (ACTL Code). The ACTL Code was approved by the ACTL Board of Regents in 2009. The goal of the ACTL Code is aspirational – an attempt to set forth the “best practices” of ethical and professional conduct rather than a set of minimum standards. The ACTL Code contains a Message from the Chief Justice of the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts captures the essence of the ACTL Code in these words:
"For more than fifty years, the American College of Trial Lawyers has promoted professionalism in the conduct of trial litigation. Its authoritative Code of Trial Conduct, first published in 1956, has served as an enduring landmark in the development of professional standards for advocates. The College continues those efforts through the publication of its revised and enlarged Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct. This comprehensive resource sets out aspirational principles to guide litigators in all aspects of their work as advocates of client interests. The Code looks beyond the minimum ethical requirements that every lawyer must follow and instead identifies those practices that elevate the profession and contribute to fairness in the administration of justice. As Justice Frankfurter noted, 'An attorney actively engaged in the conduct of a trial is not merely another citizen. He is an intimate and trusted and essential part of the machinery of justice, an ‘officer of the court’ in the most compelling sense.' I encourage lawyers who engage in trial work to observe and advance the principles that the College has set forth in this volume. I commend the American College of Trial Lawyers for its leadership in defining and refining the standards of professionalism that are vital to our system of justice."
Reception to follow.
Please RSVP in LawDawgDash at the link below.