CREED OF PROFESSIONALISM OF THE VIRGINIA BEACH BAR ASSOCIATION

PREAMBLE: It is recognized that the practice of law is a profession which involves the exercise of the highest integrity. As a lawyer, a practitioner's conduct towards clients, the courts, the legal community and the public must be characterized by the highest degrees of truthfulness, honesty, respect, dignity and civility. Towards this end, lawyers should aspire to the following creed of professionalism: 

AS TO CLIENTS AND THE PUBLIC

As a legal practitioner, I will:

1. Vigorously represent the interests of my client and will seek the most expeditious and least costly solutions to problems. Whenever possible, I shall resolve disputes through negotiation.
2. Realizing the duty and loyalty that I owe my clients, I will represent my clients to the best of my ability and will pursue the lawful objectives of my clients.
3. Advise my client against pursuing litigation that is without merit.
4. Not pursue litigation or other actions which are merely meant to prolong disputes or resolutions, nor will I engage in legal proceedings solely to exhaust the financial resources of the opposing party.
5. Counsel clients regarding the compromise of a dispute if it is in the client's interest to reach such a resolution.
6. Reach clear understandings, preferably in writing, with clients concerning the nature of my representation and the costs and fees incurred in that representation.
7. Communicate with my client and keep the client informed of the progress and nature of matters I am handling.
8. Practice to make the legal system more accessible to the public and contribute time and resources to public service, charitable events and activities, and pro bono work.

AS TO COURTS AND OTHER TRIBUNALS

As a legal practitioner, I will:

1. Be honest and candid with the court.
2. Remember that I am an officer of the court and will scrupulously avoid any abuse or misuse of the law, its procedures, its participants and its processes.
3. Attempt to resolve by agreement matters in dispute between counsel, including discovery requests.
4. Avoid ex parte communications with judges and other tribunal officers unless the situation warrants such communication.
5. Act, speak and write respectfully to the court or to the tribunal and conduct myself in a manner consistent with the highest degrees of professionalism.
6. At all times conduct myself with dignity, civility and courtesy.

AS TO OTHER LAWYERS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW

As a legal practitioner, I will:

1. Refrain from attacking the integrity or the professionalism of another lawyer unless required to do so because a matter before the court addresses these issues.
2. Be courteous in all communications with opposing counsel.
3. Attempt to accommodate opposing counsel's compatible dates before scheduling motions, depositions, and other matters.
4. Avoid serving pleadings or motions or briefs in an effort to harass opposing counsel or unfairly restrict an opportunity of opposing counsel to respond.
5. Avoid rudeness and other acts of disrespectful behavior in all meetings, including depositions, hearings and negotiations.
6. Respond promptly to communications of other lawyers.
7. Identify all changes made in documents submitted to op posing counsel and make no changes in written documents in a manner which is calculated to cause opposing counsel to overlook the change.
8. Remember that my word is my bond and that integrity is the cornerstone of my relationship with fellow members of the bar.