Texas Lawyers Creed

A Mandate for Professionalism
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals, November 7, 1989

I am a lawyer. I am entrusted by the people of Texas to preserve and improve our legal system. I am licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. I must therefore abide by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, but I know that professionalism requires more than merely avoiding the violation of laws and rules. I am committed to this creed for no other reason than it is right.


I. Our Legal System

A lawyer owes to the administration of justice personal dignity, integrity, and independence. A lawyer should always adhere to the highest principles of professionalism.

  1. I am passionately proud of my profession. Therefore, my word is my bond.
  2. I am responsible to assure that all persons have access to competent representation regardless of wealth or position in life.
  3. I commit myself to an adequate and effective pro bono program.
  4. I am obligated to educate my clients, the public, and other lawyers regarding the spirit and letter of this Creed.
  5. I will always be conscious of my duty to the judicial system.

II. Lawyer to Client

A lawyer owes to a client allegiance, learning, skill, and industry. A lawyer shall employ all appropriate means to protect and advance the client’s legitimate rights, claims, and objectives. A lawyer shall not be deterred by any real or imagined fear of judicial disfavor or public unpopularity, nor be influenced by mere self-interest.

  1. I will advise my client of the contents of this Creed when undertaking representation.
  2. I will endeavor to achieve my client’s lawful objectives in legal transactions and in litigation as quickly and economically as possible.
  3. I will be loyal and committed to my client’s lawful objectives, but I will not permit that loyalty and commitment to interfere with my duty to provide objective and independent advice.
  4. I will advise my client that civility and courtesy are expected and are not a sign of weakness.
  5. I will advise my client of proper and expected behavior.
  6. I will treat adverse parties and witnesses with fairness and due consideration. A client has no right to demand that I abuse anyone or indulge in offensive conduct.
  7. I will advise my client that we will not pursue conduct intended primarily to harass or drain the financial resources of the opposing party.
  8. I will advise my client that we will not pursue tactics intended primarily for delay.
  9. I will advise my client that we will not pursue any course of action without merit.
  10. I will advise my client that I reserve the right to grant accommodations to opposing counsel in matters that do not adversely affect my client’s lawful objectives. A client has no right to instruct me to refuse reasonable requests made by other counsel.
  11. I will advise my client of the availability of mediation, arbitration, and other alternative methods of resolving and settling disputes.

III. Lawyer to Lawyer

A lawyer owes to opposing counsel courtesy, candor, cooperation, and observance of all agreements and mutual understandings. Ill feelings between clients shall not influence a lawyer’s conduct toward opposing counsel. A lawyer shall not engage in unprofessional conduct in retaliation against unprofessional conduct.

  1. I will be courteous, civil, and prompt in oral and written communications.
  2. I will not quarrel over matters of form or style, but will focus on matters of substance.
  3. I will identify all changes I make in documents submitted for review.
  4. I will prepare documents that accurately reflect the agreement of the parties.
  5. I will notify opposing counsel, and others if appropriate, as soon as practicable when meetings or hearings are canceled.
  6. I will agree to reasonable requests for extensions of time and waiver of procedural formalities, provided my client’s objectives are not adversely affected.
  7. I will not serve motions or pleadings in a manner that unfairly limits the opportunity to respond.
  8. I will attempt to resolve by agreement any objections to pleadings and discovery requests.
  9. I can disagree without being disagreeable. I will not encourage or knowingly permit unethical behavior by clients or others under my control.
  10. I will not, without good cause, attribute bad motives or unethical conduct to opposing counsel. I will avoid personal attacks and disparaging remarks.
  11. I will not seek default or dismissal against known opposing counsel without first inquiring about their intent to proceed.
  12. I will promptly submit orders to the Court and provide copies to opposing counsel. I will approve orders that accurately reflect the Court’s rulings.
  13. I will not try to gain unfair advantage by sending correspondence to the Court without also sharing it with opposing counsel.
  14. I will not arbitrarily schedule matters without first attempting to coordinate with opposing counsel.
  15. I will stipulate to undisputed facts to avoid needless cost or inconvenience.
  16. I will refrain from excessive and abusive discovery.
  17. I will comply with all reasonable discovery requests and will not make objections or instruct witnesses solely to obstruct discovery.
  18. I will not seek court intervention for improper or undiscoverable matters.
  19. I will not seek sanctions or disqualification unless necessary to protect my client’s lawful interests or justified by the circumstances.

IV. Lawyer and Judge

Lawyers and judges owe each other respect, diligence, candor, and punctuality. Both are responsible for protecting the dignity and independence of the Court and the legal profession.

  1. I will recognize that the position of judge is the symbol of justice and refrain from conduct that degrades that symbol.
  2. I will conduct myself professionally and show respect for the Court and the law.
  3. I will treat the Court, court staff, opposing counsel, and parties with courtesy and civility.
  4. I will be punctual.
  5. I will not engage in conduct that offends the dignity of the proceedings.
  6. I will not knowingly misrepresent facts or authorities to gain advantage.
  7. I will respect the rulings of the Court.
  8. I will give issues before the Court deliberate, impartial, and thorough consideration.
  9. I will be mindful of the time constraints and pressures faced by the Court and counsel in administering justice.

Order of the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals

The conduct of a lawyer should be marked by honesty, candor, and fairness. A lawyer must always be mindful of the broader duty to the legal system, even while zealously representing a client. The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals reject abusive tactics—such as incivility, hostility, and obstructionism—as a disservice to the public, clients, and the profession. These behaviors delay and often deny justice.

These standards are aspirational. Compliance is expected to come from understanding, peer influence, and, when necessary, enforcement by the courts. These principles are not to be used as tools for tactical litigation but as a rededication to the ideals of professionalism.

As lawyers, we pursue a common calling in the spirit of public service. We share a proud tradition. Let us renew our commitment to serve our clients, uphold the law, and restore public confidence in our profession.

The Texas Lawyer’s Creed – A Mandate for Professionalism is hereby adopted and promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals.