This past year, I had the privilege of being a kid in science class again.  I had the chance to witness different aspects of three autopsies.  The experience was extremely educational—not only for my current job, but also for practice and life.  Wait . . . what?  How does witnessing autopsies help with the latter?  Stay with me here.  Are you following?

Later in the evening, as I was driving back home, leave it to me to start waxing philosophical.  Witnessing lifeless bodies in such a cold setting along with the organs inside of them reminded me that while we live our lives, the things that matter are not the cars we drive, how often we can one-up each other, or the brand logo on our clothes.  Rather, what matters is how we affect those who encounter us during our lifetime; this includes our clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, court staff, and everybody in between. 

Ready for the transition point?  A good reminder on how we should be treating one another was adopted back in 2020 when the Michigan Supreme Court adopted the 12 Principles of Professionalism.  The principles are as follows:

• We show civility in our interactions with people involved in the justice system by treating them with courtesy and respect.
• We are cooperative with people involved in the justice system within the bounds of our obligations to clients.
• We do not engage in, or tolerate, conduct that may be viewed as rude, threatening or obstructive toward people involved in the justice system.
• We do not disparage or attack people involved in the justice system, or employ gratuitously hostile or demeaning words in our written and oral legal communications and pleadings.
• We do not act upon, or exhibit, invidious bias toward people involved in the justice system and we seek reasonably to accommodate the needs of others, including lawyers, litigants, judges, jurors, court staff, and members of the public, who may require such accommodation.
• We treat people involved in the justice system fairly and respectfully notwithstanding their differing perspectives, viewpoints, or politics.
• We act with honesty and integrity in our relations with people involved in the justice system and fully honor promises and commitments.
• We act in good faith to advance only those positions in our legal arguments that are reasonable and just under the circumstances.
• We accord professional courtesy, wherever reasonably possible, to other members of our profession.
• We act conscientiously and responsibly in taking care of the financial interests of our clients and others involved in the justice system.
• We recognize ours as a profession with its own practices and traditions, many of which have taken root over the passing of many years, and seek to accord respect and regard to these practices and traditions.
• We seek to exemplify the best of our profession in our interactions with people who are not involved in the justice system.

So, the next time opposing counsel makes us want to scream into a pillow, let us remember to take a breath, consider the above-referenced principles, and wonder if our anticipated actions (or lack thereof) embody the principles, strengthen our profession, and better-serve our clients. 

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Silvia A. Mansoor is the current SBM YLS Chair and a health care provider advocate at Foley, Baron, Metzger & Juip, PLLC.