Student Ethics & Professionalism

Penn State Law Statement on Professionalism

The hallmark of an enlightened and effective system of justice is adherence to standards of professional responsibility and civility. Integrity and courtesy are indispensable to the practice of law. The conduct of law students and lawyers should at all times exhibit professional integrity and personal courtesy in the fullest sense of those terms.

Members of the Law School community should conduct themselves in a manner that preserves the dignity and honor of the Law School and the legal profession, where courtesy and civility are observed as a matter of course. It is expected that all members of the Law School community will adhere to these principles (adapted from the Pennsylvania Code of Civility), which do not in any way supplant or displace the Law School’s Honor Code.

As a member of Penn State Law, I pledge:

• To treat all members of the Law School community in a civil, professional and courteous manner at all times.
• To speak and write in a civil and respectful manner in all communications.
• Not to engage in any conduct that diminishes the dignity or decorum of the Law School environment.
• Not to bring the profession into disrepute by making unfounded accusations of impropriety or personal attacks upon others and, absent good cause, not to attribute improper motive or conduct to others.
• To refrain from acting upon or manifesting racial, gender or other bias or prejudice toward others.
• Not to misrepresent, mischaracterize, misquote or miscite facts or authorities in any oral or written communication.
• As I begin the study of law, I acknowledge and accept that the legal profession is built upon the highest ethical and professional standards and that my Law School study not only embraces the academic substance of the law, but also requires a sincere commitment to professionalism.

Related Resources:

The Penn State Law Honor Code