In the August 2026 issue of Orange County Lawyer, Umberg/Zipser partner Scott Garner and associate Amy Lesperance explore the growing emphasis on civility in the legal profession. The article examines recent developments from the California Supreme Court and State Bar, explains why civility is fully compatible with zealous advocacy, and discusses the practical benefits of professionalism for clients, courts, and attorneys alike. Drawing on recent case law, ethics guidance, and evolving professional standards, the authors make the case that civility is not simply good manners. It is an essential component of effective advocacy and a hallmark of excellent lawyering.
Read “A New Era of Civility?” in Orange County Lawyer (PDF).
This article first appeared in Orange County Lawyer, August 2026 (Vol. 68 No. 8), p. 34. The views expressed herein are those of the author. They do not necessarily represent the views of Orange County Lawyer magazine, the Orange County Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund, or their staffs, contributors, or advertisers. All legal and other issues must be independently researched.
