State Law

Should Connecticut?s Attorneys Oath Be Changed?

By Ryan

I think it’s a question worth asking and a revision worth making.

On Tuesday I asked the question if anyone remembers the Connecticut attorneys oath. I didn’t. In large part it is unmemorable, technical, and contains a laundry list of things an attorney should not do.

Judge Greenway suggests an oath:

I do solemnly swear that I shall be civil to my colleagues at the bar, conduct myself honorably with clients, the court, and all whom I come in contact with, as a member of the bar, and that I shall uphold the great traditions of the bar to act as a teacher and mentor to those who come after me and to never forget that the essence of the practice of law is the pursuit of truth, justice, and fairness.

I like it. I think the Connecticut bar should think long and hard about adopting an oath similar to the one drafted by Judge Greenway.

Our professional oath should reflect the finest traditions of our profession.

The very act of questioning our present oath as attorneys is an important exercise in and of itself.

Judge Greenway asks, “as we contemplate this role in our society, should we frame our commitment obligations more broadly, more akin to the Hippocratic Oath?”

I think we have an obligation to do so.

Full post as published by A Connecticut Law Blog on December 11, 2008 (boomark / email).