21 Guiding Values for Lawyers

Discourage litigation. Persuade your clients’ adversaries to compromise quickly whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser, in fees, expenses, and a waste of time.

Go forth in the practice of law remaining harmless and shrewd against wrongdoing.

If among many satisfied clients is one in need, then prioritize the needful, even if this means leaving the many.

Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Speak only to what is true, avoid saying what you might do, and practice saying what you have done.

Teach others well, the same you would teach yourself; share your good values and make teaching a way of life.

Practice law at the humblest of beginnings; when cultivated and practiced well, you will grow great capacity to support others so that they may find refuge in you.

Do not keep a ledger of wrongs, whether by any client, another lawyer, or anyone, for it is only a burden and distracts from the practice of law. Instead, make forgiveness usual, not one, two, or three times but seventy times seven times.

Do not regard wealth as the object of the practice of law, for this pursuit misleads from stability, as it is never enough. Instead, set wealth aside, and place principles above it.

When you share wisdom, teachings, and counsel to another who will not receive you, nor listen to you, then depart onward without ties.

Give freely to those who ask you in earnest, and go further with your giving, whether it be your time or belongings.

Strive to treat yourself well, and treat others the way you would treat yourself.

Prior to representing a client, first account for your capability and resources. If sufficient, then take the matter to completion. Rid expenditures to procure the resources necessary for legal services.

Just the same as a client seeks your counsel, seek counsel as well.

Do not judge others unless you wish the same judgement upon you. With the measure you use to judge, the same will be measured to you.

Do not fault a client for mistakes while ignoring your own. First correct your own mistakes before you go to correct your client’s mistakes.

Do not insult the intelligence of others.

Make peace.

Attend carefully to rules and details, but do not allow them to outweigh the greater matters of law, such as sound judgement, mercy toward those affected, and the trust placed in you by clients and others.

Exalt yourself and you shall be abased; humble yourself and you shall be exalted.

You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works…

The lawyer who understands these guiding values, among others, and follows them, will become wise and stable on a solid foundation.