US · rules
N.D. Okla. LGnR4-6
Standards of Practice
The following are principles intended to guide attorneys in practicing in the Northern District of
Oklahoma:
(a) In fulfilling his or her primary duty to the client, a lawyer must be ever conscious of the
broader duty to the judicial system that serves both attorney and client.
(b) A lawyer owes, to the judiciary, candor, diligence, and utmost respect.
(c) A lawyer owes, to opposing counsel, a duty of courtesy and cooperation, the observance of
which is necessary for the efficient administration of our system of justice and the respect
of the public it serves.
(d) A lawyer owes, to the administration of justice, the fundamental duties of personal dignity
and professional integrity.
Northern District of Oklahoma Page 17 of 95
Local Rules Effective Date: 7/31/2026
(e) Lawyers shall treat each other, the opposing party, the Court, and members of the Court
staff with courtesy and civility and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all
times.
(f) A client has no right to demand that counsel abuse the opposite party or indulge in offensive
conduct. A lawyer shall always treat adverse witnesses and litigants with fairness and due
consideration.
(g) In adversary proceedings, clients are litigants and though ill feeling may exist between
clients, such ill feeling shall not influence a lawyer’s conduct, attitude, or demeanor
towards opposing lawyers.
(h) A lawyer shall not use any form of discovery, or the scheduling of discovery, as a means
of harassing opposing counsel or counsel’s client.
(i) Lawyers shall be punctual in communications with others and in honoring scheduled
appearances and shall recognize that neglect and tardiness are demeaning to the lawyer and
to the judicial system.
(j) If a fellow member of the bar makes a just request for cooperation, or seeks scheduling
accommodation, a lawyer shall not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold consent.
(k) Effective advocacy does not require antagonistic or obnoxious behavior and members of
the bar shall adhere to the higher standard of conduct which judges, lawyers, clients, and
the public may rightfully expect.
Provenance
- Source
- www.oknd.uscourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-18
- Edition
- fed-district-2026-09-19
- Content hash
a6b062d40336db0f48254ec1d0086b72452450d42b30f9622e24d94479215a3e
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