Unhappy Lawyers - Part 1: The Ethical Implications of Engaging in Unhealthy Ways of Relieving the Stress and Anxiety of Practicing Law

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In meeting ethical obligations, we lawyers tend to focus on the nature of our legal advice and potential conflicts related to our clients’ identities. But there is an entire, deep conversation that centers on our ethical obligation to stay focused on our clients’ matters without distractions due to how we conduct our personal lives. Not only that, but the day is coming when a firm of lawyers will be held liable to clients and colleagues for failing to do what can be done to address unhealthy behaviors that occur out of sight; the bigger and wealthier the firm, the greater will be the potential for liability. 

This hour will offer insights into how we indirectly breach our professional responsibilities by engaging in personal behaviors that impair our judgment in ways that seem unrelated to our jobs, but get us into professional trouble. As with all things, awareness of how we (and the lawyers in our charge) may be disserving our clients is the first step to inner harmony and job satisfaction. 

Discussion will include the following ABA Model Rules:

• 1.1 (Competence)

• 1.3 (Diligence)

• 1.4 (Communications)

• 1.7 (Conflict with current clients)

• 1.10 (Imputation of Conflict to entire firm)

• 2.1 (Advisor)

• 3.2 (Expediting Litigation)

• 3.3 (Candor toward the Tribunal)

• 3.4 (Fairness to Opposing party or Counsel)

• 5.1 (Responsibility of Partner or Supervisory lawyer)

• 5.2 (Responsibility of Subordinate Lawyer)

 

To register for the upcoming live webinar, please check back later.