For litigators who regularly practice in certain courthouses, it is natural to develop good relationships with judges and courtroom personnel. Familiarity within a courthouse can be a tremendous advantage for a variety of reasons, but there is a risk of an attorney becoming too cavalier.

No doubt, there are opportunities for humor. However, if a lawyer becomes too cavalier, a judge can be placed in an uncomfortable position when ruling on motions, particularly when rulings go against the other side and when there is a transcript of the hearing.

Every judge strives to be fair and impartial. Likewise, no judge wants to be accused of bias, particularly in an appeal brief. Don’t put a judge’s decision making into question by being too casual. As a general rule, err on the side of formality. Your friends on the Bench will appreciate this.