16-16-18. Oath of attorney--Form and administration. The oath of attorney shall be administered by a justice or judge of any state appellate court or court of general jurisdiction or by a justice or judge of any federal appellate or district court. The form of the oath of attorney shall be in substance as follows:

I do solemnly swear, or affirm, that:

I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of South Dakota;

I will maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers;

I will not counsel or maintain any suit or proceeding which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor any defense except such as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law of the land;

I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law;

I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my client, and will accept no compensation in connection with a client's business except from that client or with the client's knowledge or approval;

I will abstain from all offensive personality, and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am charged;

I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay any person's cause for lucre or malice.

Source: SDC 1939, § 32.1111; Supreme Court Rule 9, Order No. 1, 1957; SDC Supp 1960, § 32.1109; SL 1994, ch 407; SL 1996, ch 316.