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December 01, 2016

CLE Webinar: Ethical Challenges with Challenging Clients

(The pdf for the issue in which this article appears is available for download: Bifocal, Vol. 38, Issue 2.)

January 30, 2017

Panelists: Eleanor Crosby Lanier, Jennifer L. Wright

Moderator: David M. Godfrey

ABA Sponsors:

  • Center for Professional Development
  • Center For Professional Responsibility
  • Commission on Disability Rights
  • Commission on Law and Aging
  • Division for Public Services
  • Law Practice Division
  • Section of Dispute Resolution
  • Section of Family Law
  • Section of Litigation
  • Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division

This session will use a series of case studies to examine the ethical obligations and options for an attorney faced with a client who insists on ignoring good advice and making bad choices. What choices can only be made by the client? What choices are left up to the attorney? How should the attorney document the presentation of all options, theirs risks and benefits and the resulting choice made by the client? When must the lawyer withdraw? When must the attorney report the client or initiate protective action? When you should help your client find another attorney and walk away?

Participants will examine:

  • Choices that belong to the client and what choices are to be made by the attorney
  • Options to address situations where there is conflict between attorney and client regarding the direction of the representation
  • Guidance for discussing available options and assuring that the client understands the choice being made and potential consequences
  • Examining the tipping point where the lawyer must withdraw
  • Exploring when a lawyer may or should withdraw or decline representation
  • What to do when helping a client carry out a choice that others see as a bad choice

To learn more or register, visit: http://bit.ly/2f4Trrv.