Member's Pledge

Whereas, the practice of law is a noble profession, and

Whereas, every lawyer should practice his or her profession with humility and gratitude for the opportunities, benefits and responsibilities the profession makes possible; and

Whereas, the persons, families and communities a lawyer serves are the noblest works of the creator; and

Whereas, the law is rooted in moral values, the practice of law is inherently a moral enterprise demanding the highest personal and professional standards, and lawyers act as moral agents of the law; and

Whereas, lawyers serve as the custodians of justice and the guardians of the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence; and

Whereas, the demands of the practice of law can take a heavy toll on a lawyer’s overall quality of life and community relationships;

Now therefore, as a member of the NATIONAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION,
I pledge

to honor and uphold the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and most especially the principles of truth, justice and liberty which are the foundations of our state and federal legal systems;

to treat my clients as moral partners to whom I owe, and from whom I deserve, honesty and respect;

to protect and ensure justice and liberty for those who would not otherwise be able to obtain representation;

to pursue litigation only when it is in the best interests of my client and of justice and never solely for personal motives of passion, interest or gain;

to seek always to temper the rigors of the adversary system by example, advice and, when just and feasible, by resorting to alternative methods of dispute resolution;

to devote my time and talent to ensure for all Americans an honest, fair and compassionate judicial system and legal profession;

to strive always to live my life and practice my profession pursuant to the highest moral and ethical standards, and to strike a proper balance between the needs of my family, my community and the practice of law;

to commit myself to restoring trust and confidence in the legal profession by fulfilling the pledges herein made.