Proper Behavior Before the Bar Examined during Sponsored Presentation at La Verne Law

Courtroom conduct was the topic for discussion during “Civility Matters,” a presentation sponsored by the San Bernardino/Riverside Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association on October 30 at the College of Law.

The presentation, which was open to practicing attorneys, law students and the general public, focused on the important role courtesy and respect play in the courtroom.

“Civility is always an ongoing issue in law,” said Krystal Lyons, La Verne Law’s Director of External Relations and event organizer. “It’s important for attorneys to still remain polite with one another and to respect each other during trials because things can get out of control and because it can get very emotional.”

The presentation features several vignettes showing footage of actual lawyers behaving inappropriately. The room was then opened for discussion about what the lawyer did wrong and what they should have done differently.

Featured speakers from the ABOTA chapter included Bill Shapiro, partner with Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro and Davis; John Lowenthal, managing partner of the San Bernardino office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith; and the Honorable Bryan Foster of the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The speakers facilitated discussion and answered questions posed by attendees regarding courtroom conduct.

Primarily an event providing continuing legal education (CLE) credit to practicing attorneys, Lyons said the presentation was very beneficial for the students to learn from.

“There is a part about professionalism on the bar exam and students are required to take a class on professional responsibility. There are actual rules that they must learn, and civility is tied in to that lesson,” Lyons said. “So it was a good for them to see actual scenarios through these videos of how things can escalate and to learn what the most professional and appropriate thing is to do.”

La Verne Law’s Director of Career Services & Professional Development Michael Chen explained that proper courtroom deportment and respect are key areas of focus at the College of Law.

“This semester there was a decision by the Dean and the senior staff to increase the level of professionalism among our students. It is important for students to connect their experience at the event with their own career development and to acquire different skills relating to professionalism,” he said. “We also want students to make connections with local attorneys and this is a good opportunity for that.”