Principles of Conduct For Professionals and Clients
- No one threatens litigation as a means of obtaining an advantage.
- The professionals maintain a safe container for the process; professionals are the guardians and guides of the process – the clients own the outcome.
- Professionals must detach from the outcome.
- Respectful business-like behavior. No interrupting, name calling, belittling or threats.
- The professionals must model for the clients a commitment to honesty and respectful discussion of difficult issues.
- Come prepared for meetings; do your homework.
- No unnecessary delving into past events.
- Principled discussions are productive, arguments are pointless.
- No positional behavior (don’t pee on the fireplug; be careful where you plant the flag).
- All team members are open, truthful, and cooperative. The professionals must trust one another and address any trust issues.
- Ask questions without judgment.
- Listen to what each participant is saying.
- No substantive agreements can be reached without all parties-lawyers in the loop. Everything that is discussed does not need to be shared.