OVERVIEW
Increasingly, lawyer civility and congeniality is becoming a thing of the past. Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way. In this presentation, veteran
attorney and legal humorist Sean Carter will remind lawyers that zealous advocacy does not require them to be zealots. In particular, Mr. Carter will discuss practical ways to:

• Reduce the hostility in interactions with even the most difficult opposing counsel;
• Increase camaraderie among colleagues;
• Diffuse tensions between warring clients;
• Secure accommodations from opposing counsel;
• Structure more mutually beneficial arrangements with clients;
• Maintain proper decorum before the court;
• Assist in providing pro bono legal services;
• Serve the bar and the legal profession; and
• Provide service to the community at large.

TIMED AGENDA
(60 minutes)

0:00-0:05 General Overview of State Professionalism Creeds
1. Genesis of the creeds
2. Aspiration nature
Six Suggestions for Professional Behavior

0:05-0:15 Suggestion #1: Show Some Respect
1. Avoid undue familiarity with members of the judiciary
2. Avoid unfounded, unsubstantiated, or unjustified public criticism of members of the judiciary
3. Show respect by attire and demeanor

0:15-0:25 Suggestion #2: Behave Yourself
1. Consider the effect of our individual conduct on the image of the law and the profession
2. Work to improve the law
3. Defend profession against unjust criticism
4. Respect and honor the traditions of the profession and those lawyers who best uphold those traditions

0:25-0:30 Suggestion #3: Don’t Run Up the Bill
1. Use technology to provide efficient and expeditious resolution of client matters.
2. Avoid unnecessarily increasing the costs of litigation through
vexatious and harassing tactics

0:30-0:35 Suggestion #4: Give Back
1. The need for pro bono representation
2. Give talents to deserving individuals and the organizations dedicated to serving them
3. Contribute financially to deserving organizations
4. Be mindful of opportunities to facilitate the administration of justice

0:35-0:45 Suggestion #5: Don’t Be So Difficult
1. Counsel clients towards settlement and dispute resolution
2. Make reasonable accommodations to opposing counsel
3. Make stipulations and concessions when appropriate

0:45-0:55 Suggestion #6: Play Nice
1. Be courteous and civil in all communications
2. Avoid rudeness and other acts of disrespect
3. Look for opportunities to reduce hostilities

0:55-0:60 Conclusion and Q&A

Speaker - Sean Carter

This live webinar will be hosted on Zoom. Please ensure you have a Zoom account prior to this CLE. You can register for a free Zoom account here.

Twenty-four hours prior to this CLE, registrants will receive an email from Kansas Bar Association containing a Zoom Link and a link to the materials. Once you receive this Zoom Link, you will be able to 'Register' on the Zoom platform with your name, email, and Kansas Bar ID. Once you've provided these details to Zoom, you will receive an additional email sent from Zoom to 'Join' the webinar.

Access into the live Zoom webinar is only available through the Zoom Link; not the KBA website. 

All KBA CLE events are subject to our general policies, available HERE.