Ethical Pitfalls and Considerations in Handling High-Profile Cases

A lawyer’s service is sought after by high-profile clients and such usually entail many rewards, among which is building a name for a lawyer.

A distortion may arise in one’s ethical responsibilities when handling such caliber of high-profile cases due to the fame and fortune. This module will tackle the pertinent rules and canons under the Code of Professional Responsibility. There will be five sections in this module pertaining to the pertinent ethical responsibilities of a lawyer:

First, duty to the client where a lawyer is reminded that when one’s legal service is undertaken, a personal assessment of one’s qualifications in handling the needed service is essential. This is important to prevent overstating the prospects of the case to impress the client and to properly set the expectations that would meet not only the client’s but also of the law.

Second, the role that media and publicity plays in such cases. A lawyer must take caution and exercise prudence because of the possible influence in making public statements and media coverage which may result in impartiality.

Third is Duty to the Court. the client may pay the bills, but a lawyer is an officer of the court and has a duty to assist in the speedy and administration of justice.

Fourth, a high degree of confidentiality will always be expected.

Lastly, the payment of just fees since the practice of law is a profession and not a business.