Judge Bill Miller Delivers New Attorney Oath to Local Attorneys

201512.23
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Bowie County, Texas – December 23, 2015 – Texarkana attorneys were the first to take the new
Texas attorney oath before Judge Bill Miller – 5th District Court Judge – Bowie County, Texas.
Catherine Maness and Randy Roeser of HALTOM & DOAN were sworn in by Judge Miller on
November 18, 2015.

Governor Gregg Abbott signed Senate Bill 534 on May 15, 2015. The bill amended the Texas
Lawyer’s Oath to include a civility clause, requiring attorneys to “conduct oneself with integrity
and civility in dealing and communicating with the court and all parties.” All attorneys previously
sworn in have been invited to voluntarily take the new oath at various ceremonies scheduled
throughout the state.

The addition of the civility clause is part of a national movement to include similar language in
lawyer oaths. So far, at least 13 states have added civility language to their lawyer oaths. Various
Texas Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) backed the idea and
encouraged the civility clause to pass.

“The foundation of our legal profession relies on the civility and integrity of our attorneys. The
new civility oath reminds each attorney that our interactions with each other and the court are
paramount to our system of justice not only in Texas and Arkansas but throughout the United
States,” said Jennifer Doan, partner at HALTOM & DOAN and president of the East Texas Chapter
of ABOTA.

About HALTOM & DOAN
HALTOM & DOAN is a boutique litigation firm in Texarkana, Texas with offices throughout East
Texas. The firm focuses on commercial, intellectual property and product liability litigation as
well as environmental/toxic tort litigation, class action and personal injury cases. For more
information visit their website at www.haltomdoan.com.