State Bar of Texas Invites Lawyers to Take Civility Oath at Austin Ceremony

 A new oath passed by the 84th Texas Legislature designed to advance civility and integrity in the practice of law will be used to swear in Texas lawyers at the next New Lawyers Induction Ceremony on November 16 in Austin. The State Bar of Texas invites all practicing attorneys to attend the ceremony and to join inductees, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in reciting the new oath.

“While no previously licensed attorney is required to retake the oath, we would love to see a strong turnout at the induction ceremony,” State Bar President Allan K. DuBois said. “By joining inductees and State Bar leaders in taking the oath, Texas attorneys will send a powerful reminder that we not only believe in civility, but that we actively work to promote its implementation.”

Senate Bill 534—by Sen. Kirk Watson and sponsored by Reps. John Smithee and Todd Hunter—amended the lawyer oath to add a civility element. Now, new Texas attorneys will pledge to conduct themselves “with integrity and civility in dealing with and communicating with the court and all parties.”

Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill in May after it passed the Legislature unanimously.

The law is part of a national push to include similar language in lawyer oaths across the United States. At least 13 other states have joined the effort, according to the American Board of Trial Advocates, which supports the movement as part of its Civility Matters project.

“The Texas Lawyer’s Creed states that a lawyer owes to the administration of justice personal dignity, integrity, and independence,” said State Bar of Texas Board Chair David Chamberlain of Austin, who also serves as president of the American Board of Trial Advocates (Texas Chapters). “Civility and integrity are bedrocks of the legal profession, so it is fitting and proper that our oath now reflects these ideals.”

The induction ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. November 16 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. The event will welcome into the legal profession approximately 2,500 new attorneys who passed the July 2015 Texas bar exam.