See http://docs.quantifiedcode.com/python-anti-patterns/correctness/implementing_java-style_getters_and_setters.html One example is here: https://github.com/microsoft/Cognitive-LUIS-Python/blob/d07e29267b162d6b9232374ba7698bbee078967e/python3/luis_sdk/luis_action.py#L53 The more pythonic way would be to access the attributes directly, or use the `@property` decorator.