WSBA challenges me to be civil - but can It be? part 3 (the end)
From: Sims Weymuller March 10, 2011 1:35 PM
Dear Karen,
It doesn’t matter to me what a lawyer is wearing, I just think we ought to show more respect to one another.
I did answer your question, just not as you phrased it because: (1) as phrased it didn’t make sense to me; and (2) it posed a false choice. Is your point that, on the rarest of occasions—indeed one I have never seen—where the lawyer is faced with a choice between pursuing the client’s best interest on the one hand, and acting civilly on the other, the lawyer should act uncivilly? If so, I suppose I would agree. I just don’t think that happens very often, if ever. I do, however, think that lawyers use that claim as an excuse for uncivilized conduct all the time; I just don’t buy it.
Can you provide examples where your duty to your client was inextricably opposed to your duty to act professionally or civilly?
Thanks,
Sims
From: Karen Koehler Mar 10, 2011, at 2:56 PM,
Dear Sims:
It has been so long since I’ve heard from you that I’ve completely lost track of our discussion. It was highly enjoyable while it lasted. But unless you have a pretty excuse (like the flu that I had), I consider the delay to be disrespectful. Therefore, I decline to continue.
My best regards to you in your quest for civility.
karen
From: Sims Weymuller March 10, 2011 3:05 PM
Seriously?
From: Karen Koehler Mar 10, 2011, at 3:06 PM
Dear Sims:
My civility comes with teeth.
karen
From: Sims Weymuller March 10, 2011 3:17 PM
Too bad, I was curious if you had an example. Oh well, whatever peels your potatoes, I suppose.
From: Karen Koehler Mar 10, 2011, at 3:22 PM,
Dear Sims: The article had to come to an end eventually. This is a nice punchy way to end it.
karen
From: Sims Weymuller March 10, 2011 3:31 PM
karen,
I don't really think what we have is article worthy. I thought we would eventually get into a real discussion about the objective merits of or faults with civility (versus the personal approach). I don't think our readers would learn very much from what we have so far.
Sims
From: Karen Koehler Mar 10, 2011, at 3:35 PM
Dear Sims – I can understand your feelings. Which is why I continue to completely disagree with what WSBA is doing regarding its civility mission.
karen
From: Sims Weymuller March 10, 2011 6:10 PM
Ha! Touché.