Ethics of Client Selection (Live Replay)
Engaging clients is an essential part of a stable and successful law practice - lawyers need clients. But even in a tough legal market, there are many clients a lawyer cannot engage and represent because of ethical considerations. Ethical concerns may arise from conflicts of interest or confidentiality issues. But they may also arise from practical financial concerns, such as when a lawyer or firm may become too dependent on the fees of a single or a few clients. This program will discuss these concerns as well as the rules applicable to client solicitation and the circumstances in which it becomes an ethical necessity to end a relationship with a client.
- Rules and boundaries for soliciting clients
- Practical conflicts checks and management
- Confidentiality issues
- Ethical issues around dependence on one or a few clients
- Ethical necessity of ending certain client relationships
William Freivogel is the Principal of Freivogel Ethics Consulting and is an independent consultant to law firms on ethics and risk management. He was a trial lawyer for 22 years and has practiced in the areas of legal ethics and lawyer malpractice for 20 years. He is Chair of the Editorial Board of the ABA/BNA Lawyers Manual on Professional Conduct and Chair of the ABA Business Law Section Committee on Professional Responsibility. He maintains the Web site, Freivogel on Conflicts, at www.freivogelonconflicts.com. Mr. Freivogel is a graduate of the University of Illinois (Champaign), where he received his B.S. and LL.B.
