Texas Lawyer’s Creed

The Texas Lawyer’s Creed was adopted by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas in 1989, then reaffirmed in 2013. Amendments were passed in 2016 to update the creed. Civility is at the heart of the creed – suggesting that the conduct of a lawyer should “be characterized at all time by honesty, candor, and fairness.” It reminds lawyers that we owe, not only a duty to our clients, but also to the legal system as a whole. Designed by Justice Eugene Cook, with the assistance of James “Blackie” Holmes III and Fred Hagans, the Texas Lawyers Creed came about due to an increase in “Rambo” obstructionist tactics, numerous motions for sanctions, and generally petty behavior that concerned high level members of the Texas Bar.

In 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a civility oath to be added to the oath that every lawyer takes when being admitted to the Texas bar. The oath adds that the individual will conduct oneself with integrity and civility in dealing with the court and all parties.

Justice Anthony Kennedy described civility as, “not some bumper-sticker slogan… but the mark of an accomplished and superb professional… with deep roots in respect for the individual.” (Kennedy, Anthony, 1997 Speech, ABA Annual Meeting.)

The Creed contains four focuses of civility:

  • Our legal system – A lawyer owes to the administration of justice personal dignity, integrity, and independence.
  • Lawyer to client – A lawyer owes to a client allegiance, learning, skill, and industry.
  • Lawyer to lawyer – A lawyer owes to opposing counsel courtesy, candor, cooperation, and scrupulous observance of all agreements and mutual understandings.
  • Lawyer to judge – Lawyers and judges owe each other respect, diligence, candor, punctuality, and protection against unjust and improper criticism and attack.

The Creed is completely voluntary, with no means of enforcement. Involuntary enforcement operates contrary to the purpose of the creed. We as lawyers should desire to achieve the goals of the creed, without such actions being a requirement.

To read the entire Texas Lawyer’s Creed, click here.

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Photo of Michelle O'Neil Michelle O'Neil

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes…

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client’s goals. One judge said of Ms. O’Neil, “She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!”

Family Law Specialist

Ms. O’Neil became a board-certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. While representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice, Ms. O’Neil also handles appellate matters in the trial court, courts of appeals and Texas Supreme Court. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O’Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels. This gives her a unique perspective and depth of perception that benefits both her litigation and appellate clients.

Top Lawyers in Texas and America

Ms. O’Neil has been named to the list of Texas SuperLawyers for many years, a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. Ms. O’Neil received the special honor of being named by Texas SuperLawyers as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, and Top 100 Lawyers in DFW for multiple years. She was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and received an “A-V” peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards.

Author and Speaker

A noted author, Ms. O’Neil released her second book Basics of Texas Divorce Law in November 2010, with a second edition released in 2013, and a third edition expected in 2015.  Her first book, All About Texas Law and Kids, was published in September 2009 by Texas Lawyer Press. In 2012, Ms. O’Neil co-authored the booklets What You Need To Know About Common Law Marriage In Texas and Social Study Evaluations.  The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O’Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena.