As is true of their colleagues in state court, the judges of federal court are committed to maintaining the highest possible level of professional conduct in the practice of law in this community. An example of this commitment is found in the large number of federal judges who participate in the annual judicial symposium sponsored by the 4th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee. The next judicial symposium is set for February 21, 2002. Additionally, the Local Rules of Court in the Middle District of Florida encourage professional conduct, including Local Rule 5.03, which gives specific guidelines for courtroom decorum. Also, at the attorney admission ceremonies which all new members of the Middle District Bar are required to attend, the presiding judge emphasizes the high level of professionalism expected of members who practice in federal court. Finally, one of our own local Eleventh Circuit Judges, Judge Gerald B. Tjoflat, has written extensively on professionalism and has conducted seminars around the country devoted to professionalism issues.
Two recent developments further illustrate the federal court’s commitment to professionalism. First, all local federal district, magistrate and bankruptcy judges have issued a “Statement of Support by the Judges of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, for the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Professionalism Guidelines.” This Statement of Support, which is reproduced in its entirety on this page, is an endorsement by the federal court of the principles and aspirations contained in the JBA’s Professionalism Guidelines. The Statement of Support also evidences the cooperative spirit between state and federal judges concerning the promotion of professional conduct in the practice of law.
The judges of the Middle District have also recently approved a “Handbook on Civil Discovery Practice in the United Sates District Court for the Middle District of Florida.” This handbook is completely revised and updated from an earlier edition first published in the 1980’s. The revised handbook deals with all manner of discovery issues, including categories such as “Courtesy and Cooperation Among Counsel.” “Timeliness and Sanctions,” privilege and technology issues. The handbook will soon be available on the Court’s website, www.flmd.uscourts.gov, and will also be available for purchase at the Clerk’s Office for a nominal sum. A strong thread of encouraging professionalism runs throughout the handbook. For example, the introduction reads in part:
Discovery in this District should be practiced with a spirit of cooperation and civility. The District’s lawyers and the Court are justifiably proud of the courteous practice that is traditional in the Middle District. Courtesy suggests that good faith consultation is appropriate before commencing action that might result in disagreement among counsel.
The federal judges in Jacksonville are pleased to support the efforts of the state judiciary, the Fourth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee and the Jacksonville Bar Association in their efforts to maintain and improve the high level of professionalism in this legal community.