Attorney Civility and Professionalism

Civility Toolkit

The Attorney Guidelines of Civility and Professionalism set forth best practices to promote dignity, courtesy, and integrity in the practice of law. They are offered to support advocacy, strengthen public trust in the legal system, and encourage professionalism in service to clients.

In September 2025, the California Supreme Court approved amendments to rule 9.7 of the California Rules of Court, reaffirming the civility oath for California attorneys, and requiring annual affirmation. In November 2025, the State Bar Board of Trustees adopted the Civility in Practice, Navigating Professional Responsibilities Toolkit (Civility Toolkit) as part of implementing the Court’s order. The Civility Toolkit modernizes and builds upon the Attorney Guidelines by providing a statewide educational program, including a lesson plan, presentation materials, and participant resources designed to support meaningful engagement with civility principles in a variety of practice settings.

The Civility Toolkit is intended for use by bar associations, courts, legal organizations and individual presenters seeking to provide civility training consistent with rule 9.7 and current jurisprudence.

Download the Civility Toolkit

California Rules of Court, rule 9.7

Rule 9.7 of the California Rules of Court, effective May 27, 2014 (adopted as rule 9.4 and renumbered effective January 1, 2018), was adopted to supplement the attorney oath for new lawyers. Rule 9.7 states:

In addition to the language required by Business and Professions Code section 6067, the oath to be taken by every person on admission to practice law is to conclude with the following: “As an officer of the court, I will strive to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy, and integrity.”

Civility resources

Guidelines on civility and professionalism

The following are links to guidelines on civility and professionalism adopted by bar associations and courts.

Bar Associations

Courts

Articles

The following are links to articles on attorney civility and professionalism.