Attorneys are officers of the Court. As such, their behavior toward the Court sets the example for the public. Their responsibility is, at a minimum, to be courteous and civil. Good manners and decorum require the following:

An attorney shall address all arguments to the Court, and not to opposing counsel. An attorney shall stand when addressing the Court. An attorney shall stand where the Court, the witness, the jury and the court reporter can hear when the attorney is examining a witness. Attorneys may sit at counsel table to address a witness with permission from the judge presiding (if there is a legitimate reason to do so). An attorney shall not approach the bench unless he or she has obtained permission from the judge presiding. An attorney shall not sit on counsel table. An attorney shall not take files, pleadings or exhibits from the Clerk's or Reporter's desk without permission from the judge presiding. When an attorney's business in the courtroom is finished, he or she should depart from the courtroom quietly. Attorneys do not need permission from the Court to be excused once his or her business has been concluded. An attorney shall not hold conferences in the courtroom when the Court is in session, and an attorney shall not engage in loud conversations with clients, witnesses or other attorneys when the Court is in session. An attorney should advise his or her clients as to the impropriety of discussing any aspect of a pending case with the judge. Attorneys shall wear appropriate and professional business attire in the courtroom at all times, and said attire must appear neat and clean in all respects.

Female attorneys are permitted to wear slacks. An attorney may not wear jeans for any court appearance. Neckties must be worn by male attorneys for all court appearances. Tongue/lip rings or jewelry may not be worn by attorneys or by any person who may be speaking in the courtroom. Suit coats or jackets are not required by attorneys between Memorial Day and Labor Day of any given year, unless a jury is seated to hear a matter. The Court may apply this rule to other times of the year based on weather conditions. Female attorneys need not ever wear suit coats or jackets provided they are wearing a professional blouse or sweater.

Attorneys must be punctual in arriving for a scheduled hearing. At times it is unavoidable to be late for a setting or a docket. However, to be consistently late demonstrates a lack of courtesy to the Court, and to the other parties, witnesses and attorneys. An attorney who finds it impossible to be on time should immediately inform the Court and give the reason for the delay. An attorney who is consistently tardy may, in those instances where such behavior causes financial hardship, be assessed attorney fees and expenses for travel and other costs to those who have suffered by the attorney's wrong. Opposing counsel may apply to the Court, in appropriate circumstances, for sanctions under this rule.