"Professionalism differs from ethics in the sense that ethics is a minimum standard. . . while professionalism is a higher standard expected of all lawyers. Professionalism imposes no official sanctions. It offers no official reward. Yet, sanctions and rewards exist unofficially. Who faces a greater sanction than lost respect? Who faces a greater reward than the satisfaction of doing right for right's own sake?" Interview with Harold G. Clark, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia, by John W. Spears, Editor, Decatur-Dekalb Bar Quarterly , May 24, 1990

"[T]he way in which we resolve our disputes defines part of the character of our society and we should act accordingly. . . The dignity and the integrity of our profession is an inheritance that must be maintained by each successive generation of lawyers. . . . " Aspirational Statement on Professionalism (hereinafter "Aspirations"), Georgia Supreme Court, State Georgia Directory and Handbook (hereinafter "Handbook") 1995-96, 114-H).

"As a lawyer, I will aspire . . . to achieve the excellence of our craft . . . that permit[s] me to be the moral voice of clients to the public in advocacy while being the moral voice of the public to clients in counseling." Aspirations, Handbook 114-H

"It is easy. . . to confuse compliance with the rules with being moral and . . . minimally acceptable conduct with acting as a professional." J. Sammons, Lawyer Professionalism 64 (1988)

"No code or set of rules can be framed which will particularize all duties of the lawyer. . . The . . . canons of ethics are . . . a general guide, yet the enumeration of particular duties should not be construed as a denial of the existence of others equally imperative, though not specifically mentioned." Georgia Code of Professional Responsibility (herinafter "Ga. CPR", Preamble Handbook 24-H).

"Each lawyer must find within his own conscience the touchstone against which to test the extent to which his actions should rise above minimum standards." Model Code of Professional Responsibility, Preamble (1981)