Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Jen Coatsworth issued the following statement in support of the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear an appeal from a Pennsylvania lawyer who challenged Rule 8.4(g) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, an anti-harassment and anti-discrimination professional rule for lawyers in the state:
“After years of support and continuing efforts towards implementing an anti-harassment and anti-bias ethics rule in the practice of law, we are glad that this unfounded challenge is finally over. This Association has long supported the implementation of Rule 8.4(g) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Philadelphia Bar Association’s Board of Governors unanimously passed a resolution supporting the ABA’s Model Rule 8.4(g) within weeks of the adoption in 2016. The Association has continued to support and has worked to advance the adoption of a variation on the rule in the commonwealth since that time.”
“This is a monumental step forward. If we can hold attorneys accountable for maintaining ethical standards, and conducting themselves with civility at all times, we can also require attorneys to behave, as an officer of the court should, without harassing or discriminating against ANY people,” said Tara D. Phoenix, Director of Continuing Legal Education/ Associate Director Office of Diversity at the Philadelphia Bar Association. “As a professional in this space for almost three decades and an advocate for this rule for almost ten years, this is victory for all of those who are champions for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.”
“It is our responsibility as lawyers to carve a path to a more diverse and fair legal system. It is imperative that all individuals who participate in the justice system, whether they are judges, lawyers, litigants, witnesses or employees, are able to do so free of discrimination and harassment,” said Chancellor Coatsworth. “Our Association applauded the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s passage of this rule, and we are gratified that the challenges to Rule 8.4(g) have been rejected.”
