Supreme Court Judge Robin Ransom emphasizes civility during leadership luncheon
Hon. Robin Ransom of the Supreme Court of Missouri highlighted the need for civil behavior in the legal profession and society during a Missouri Bar leadership luncheon Friday in Jefferson City.
Hon. Robin Ransom of the Supreme Court of Missouri highlighted the need for civil behavior in the legal profession and society during a Missouri Bar leadership luncheon Friday in Jefferson City.
Ransom spoke to more than 100 judges and members of The Missouri Bar leadership – including the Board of Governors, Young Lawyers’ Section Council, and Leadership Academy – during the Nov. 18 “Lawyers as Leaders” luncheon at Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.
Looking out at the crowd of lawyers and judges, Ransom stressed the vitality of civil behavior in the legal profession.
“As the guardians of the rule of law that defines the American social and political fabric, attorneys should abide by civility in all that they do,” she said.
Many audience members shook their heads in disbelief while listening to Ransom describe several examples of uncivilized behavior that have been reported in the news. These stories, Ransom said, demonstrate a lack of acceptance and spotlight the growing national divide many citizens feel.
“Some of this behavior comes from being sore losers and self-absorbed; sometimes it comes from being overworked and exhausted; sometimes it comes from a win-at-all-cost attitude, whether it impacts the other counsel, the court, or the profession,” she said.
Healing the societal division will take a combined effort of many groups – and the first step is practicing civility, Ransom said.
Lawyers shouldn’t view civility as “a pain but as a gain,” she added, noting lawyers who are civil often have better reputations and better job satisfaction.
“Not only does our profession require us to be civil and it is simply the right thing to do, but professionalism among lawyers is required by the larger American society in order to preserve a great profession and survive as a civil society abided to the rule of law,” Ransom said.
Concluding the event, Lauren Tucker McCubbin, 2022-23 Missouri Bar president, added that lawyers have a direct impact on their communities since most members of the profession volunteer with local organizations and serve in leadership roles.
“As you can see from our sampling of lawyers here today, lawyers improve the lives of Missourians by serving their clients and communities,” Tucker McCubbin said. “We should remember the importance of Judge Ransom’s comments and strive to bring civility to all we do.”