Today is the Day of Civility in Texas.

What does that mean exactly? Well, once a year, the legal community in Texas takes an entire day to focus on and improve the conduct of lawyers and to celebrate the importance of civility in our legal system.  This day—known as the Day of Civility—was created to encourage legal professionals to aspire to the highest levels of courteous and professional interaction with judges, peers, adversaries, and workplace colleagues.  This spirit of professionalism inspired the promulgation of the Texas Lawyer’s Creed in 1989, which serves as every lawyer’s “how-to” guide on civility. Its preamble states that, “[t]he conduct of a lawyer should be characterized at all times by honesty, candor, and fairness.”

The State Bar of Texas urges all local bar associations to participate in a Day of Civility—both to educate and to celebrate all members of the bar.  The Dallas Bar Association will host its Day of Civility today at the historic Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas. The event features speakers and dignitaries from around the state, including Justice Eva Guzman of the Supreme Court of Texas, Tom Vick, President of the State Bar of Texas, the Honorable Carolyn Wright, Justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeals, and Royal Ferguson, Dean of UNT Dallas College of Law.

So why is civility so important? Why do we need a Day of Civility?

Justice Anthony Kennedy succinctly summarized the importance of civility in his 1997 speech at the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, stating: “[Civility] … is not some bumper-sticker slogan, ‘Have you hugged your adversary today?’ Civility is the mark of an accomplished and superb professional.”

P.T. Barnum, whose life is the subject of the recent hit movie The Greatest Showman, also praised civility, stating that “politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business.”

Civility–encompassing respect, professionalism, candor, honesty, and fairness–is espoused by OWL Attorneys and staff alike.

Here are “The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct” for you to follow to ensure perfectly civil conduct:

  1. Pay attention
  2. Acknowledge others
  3. Think the best
  4. Listen
  5. Be inclusive
  6. Speak kindly
  7. Don’t speak ill
  8. Accept and give praise
  9. Respect even a subtle “no”
  10. Respect others’ opinions
  11. Mind your body
  12. Be agreeable
  13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
  14. Respect other people’s time
  15. Respect other people’s space
  16. Apologize earnestly and thoughtfully
  17. Assert yourself
  18. Avoid personal questions
  19. Care for your guests
  20. Be a considerate guest
  21. Think twice before asking for favors
  22. Refrain from idle complaints
  23. Give constructive criticism
  24. Respect the environment and be gentle to animals
  25. Don’t shift responsibility and blame.

From Choosing Civility. Copyright © 2002 P. M. Forni. (St. Martin’s Press, 2002)

Happy Day of Civility from O’Neil Wysocki!

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Photo of Michelle O'Neil Michelle O'Neil

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes…

Michelle May O’Neil has 30+ years’ experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as “a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty”, Ms. O’Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client’s difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client’s goals. One judge said of Ms. O’Neil, “She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!”

Family Law Specialist

Ms. O’Neil became a board-certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. While representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice, Ms. O’Neil also handles appellate matters in the trial court, courts of appeals and Texas Supreme Court. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O’Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels. This gives her a unique perspective and depth of perception that benefits both her litigation and appellate clients.

Top Lawyers in Texas and America

Ms. O’Neil has been named to the list of Texas SuperLawyers for many years, a peer-voted honor given to only about 5% of the lawyers in the state of Texas. Ms. O’Neil received the special honor of being named by Texas SuperLawyers as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, Top 100 Lawyers in Texas, and Top 100 Lawyers in DFW for multiple years. She was named one of the Best Lawyers in America and received an “A-V” peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards.

Author and Speaker

A noted author, Ms. O’Neil released her second book Basics of Texas Divorce Law in November 2010, with a second edition released in 2013, and a third edition expected in 2015.  Her first book, All About Texas Law and Kids, was published in September 2009 by Texas Lawyer Press. In 2012, Ms. O’Neil co-authored the booklets What You Need To Know About Common Law Marriage In Texas and Social Study Evaluations.  The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O’Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena.