In Praise of Civility and the Social Contract

in Civil Litigation by Timothy Reuben

California lawyers are now required to formally pledge civility each year as part of maintaining their licenses. In his Daily Journal article, Tim Reuben uses that rule change as a starting point to examine a deeper issue facing the profession.

 

The article explores why civility cannot be legislated into existence and why rules alone are unlikely to change behavior without a shared commitment to the social contract that underpins both the legal system and civil society. Reuben draws on real world courtroom and mediation experience to explain how intimidation and incivility often backfire, increasing cost, conflict, and distrust while undermining effective advocacy.

 

Read the full Daily Journal article.