WELCOME TO THE DELAWARE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION!

The Delaware Bar Stands with the Delaware Judiciary

Delaware’s judiciary has earned its well-deserved reputation as second to none.  Key to its reputation is the Delaware Court of Chancery which handles the most high-profile corporate matters involving some of the world’s largest companies and most prominent businesspersons.  Joining a disturbing trend emerging across the U.S., Delaware’s judges have been unjustly attacked with increasingly polarized rhetoric that goes far beyond any scholarly critique of their rulings and written opinions.

The Delaware Bar condemns these attacks and stands in support of the Delaware judiciary.

It is extraordinary that in this State (and Nation) of democratic laws that these words must be said, but it is perhaps a symptom of the constant antagonism and conflict that now permeate all facets of modern American life.  In Delaware we have always sought to find common ground to promote and maintain policies for the greater good.  The Delaware Bar seeks to uphold the time-honored tradition of civility and cooperation among our ranks, and in our courts, for litigants and lawyers alike.

Judges are restricted by their ethical obligations and cannot comment on the cases pending before them.  The merits of all legal rulings are reviewable on appeal.  But when judges are subject to unfair attacks, the Bar can and should speak for them.  The Delaware Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Responsibility state that “[t]o maintain the fair and independent administration of justice, lawyers are encouraged to continue traditional efforts to defend judges and courts unjustly criticized.”[1]

The Delaware Bar stands with the Delaware Judiciary.

Delaware State Bar Association

Committee on Response to Public Comment

[1]  DLRPR, Rule 8.2, comment 3.