Panel Discussion: Judicial Civility, Collegiality & Professionalism

Hatton Lovejoy Courtroom, Hirsch Hall

Judges often admonish lawyers for behaving in uncivil or unprofessional ways towards one another. This panel will consider whether such judges personally put into practice what they preach. The panelists will examine the level of civility, collegiality, and professionalism exhibited by judges towards one another, as well as towards lawyers and litigants. They will discuss, among other things, the tenor and tone of opinions, judicial responses to criticism by lawyers, intemperate courtroom behavior, and the potential effects of these types of actions on the justice system.