Page 44 - CLT112320

44 ¦ NOVEMBER 23, 2020 CLOSING ARGUMENT

EDITORIAL BOARD

Lawyers, the Honor System and
Politics Disrupted

B Connecticut state flag
eing a lawyer is a privilege which comes with Connecticut bar, Connecticut General Statutes §
a good amount of power and concurrent re- 1-25 provides for lawyers the following oath:
sponsibility. If we look at the systems and You solemnly swear or solemnly and sincerely
processes running our country, most of the lead- affirm, as the case may be, that you will do nothing
ers in those spaces are lawyers. And in that realm, dishonest, and will not knowingly allow anything
and on a fundamental level, lawyers operate on an dishonest to be done in court, and that you will in-
honor code. The code of ethics that governs lawyers form the court of any dishonesty of which you have
compels us to use due diligence and do the “right” knowledge; that you will not knowingly maintain
thing. But what happens when the “right” thing is or assist in maintaining any cause of action that is
overwhelmed by or confused with personal ide- false or unlawful; that you will not obstruct any
ology? What happens when personal ideology is cause of action for personal gain or malice; but
influenced by a divisive political climate? Does the that you will exercise the office of attorney, in any
honor code get thrown out the window? court in which you may practice, according to the
Connecticut’s legal profession does a great job best of your learning and judgment, faithfully, to
at maintaining civility. Being such a small bar, both your client and the court; so help you God or
it is hard not to. When one is admitted to the upon penalty of perjury.

CONNECTICUT
Law Tribune