Texas Center for Legal Ethics to Offer Free Online Ethics CLE to Celebrate ‘Texas Day of Civility in the Law’
The Texas Center for Legal Ethics (TCLE) is pleased to announce it will offer a pair of online ethics CLE programs free to Texas Lawyers on April 20 in recognition of “Texas Day of Civility in the Law.”
In association with the State Bar of Texas, The Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas issued a proclamation in November declaring April 20, 2018, as Texas Day of Civility in the Law. In the proclamation, the state’s two highest courts “urge all lawyers always to conduct themselves with the utmost courtesy and professionalism toward judges, adversaries, peers, workplace colleagues and in performing their duties to their clients.”
The first free online program is “The Noble Lawyer,” presented by Texas attorney and former TCLE Executive Director William J. Chriss. Based on his book of the same name, Mr. Chriss draws on history and current events to present a compelling defense of the profession and the rule of law against the public’s rising contempt for lawyers and the legal system.
The second program, “Developing Your Professional Reputation,” is a panel discussion exploring how lawyers can cultivate a professional reputation for ethical behavior. Moderated by Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the panel includes Justice Debra Lehrmann of the Supreme Court of Texas, former State Bar President Roland Johnson, and San Antonio attorney Lamont Jefferson.
“The Day of Civility gives all Texas attorneys an opportunity to reflect on their obligation to practice law with the utmost respect for judges, fellow attorneys and the public that we serve,” said Dallas attorney Beverly Godbey, Chair of the TCLE Board of Trustees. “Both of these online programs provide a useful framework for lawyers to incorporate greater civility into their professional lives.”
Founded in 1989 by three retired Texas Supreme Court chief justices, TCLE promotes the values contained in the Texas Lawyer’s Creed and fulfills its founders’ vision to be the leading center of knowledge and resources for ethics and professionalism in Texas. For more information, visit the Texas Center for Legal Ethics website at http://www.legalethicstexas.com.
For more information, please contact Jonathan Smaby, executive director of the Texas Center for Legal Ethics, at 512-427-1477 or jonathan.smaby@texasbar.com.