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Professional Responsibility and Ethics (LAW 747)
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Course Overview & MaterialsSyllabus - LAW 7475 Topics
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Topics1. Introduction & Background10 Topics
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1.01. Introduction
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1.02. This course and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
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1.03. Professionalism is more than just understanding the rules
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1.03.01. Formal assistance resources
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1.03.02. Informal well-being resources
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1.04. A short history of the regulation of lawyers
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1.05. Sources of law for regulating professional conduct
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1.06. Readings
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1.06.01. Hints on the Professional Deportment of Lawyers, with Some Counsel to Law Students
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1.06.02. ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
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1.01. Introduction
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2. Admission to the Practice of Law8 Topics
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2.01. Introduction
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2.02. Requirements: Legal Education
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2.03. Requirements: Acceptable “Character and Fitness”
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2.04. Requirements: Pass State Bar Examination
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2.05. Requirements: Other Obligations
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2.06. Ethical Obligations in Submitting/Supporting an Application [Rule 8.1]
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2.07. Reading: In re Nathan, 26 So. 3d 146 (La. 2010)
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2.08. Reading: In re Jarrett, 879 N.W.2d 116 (Wis. 2016)
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2.01. Introduction
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3. Introduction to the Standard and Process of Lawyer Discipline17 Topics
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3.01. Introduction
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3.02. Disciplinary Agency: Structure and Process
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3.03. Justification for Attorney Discipline
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3.04. Disciplinary Sanctions
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3.05. Conduct that Subjects a Lawyer to Discipline [Rule 8.4]
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3.05.01. Rule 8.4(a): Violating, attempting to violate Rules of Professional Conduct or violating through another
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3.05.02. Rule 8.4(b): Criminal Act that Reflects adversely on honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer
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3.05.03. Rule 8.4(c): Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation
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3.05.04. Rule 8.4(d): Conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice
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3.05.05. Rule 8.4(e): Stating/implying the ability to influence governmental agency/official
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3.05.06. Rule 8.4(f): Assist a judge or judicial office in conduct that violates CJC or other law
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3.05.07. Rule 8.4(g): Engaging in conduct the lawyer knows/reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination
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3.06. Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession [Rule 8.2]
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3.07. Where a lawyer is subject to discipline; Choice of Law [Rule 8.5]
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3.08. Duty to Report Misconduct of another Lawyer [Rule 8.3]
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3.09. Reading: Disciplinary Counsel v. Brockler, 48 N.E. 3d 557 (Ohio 2016)
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3.10. Reading: In Re Riehlmann, 891 So. 2d 1239 (La. 2005)
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3.01. Introduction
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4. Malpractice21 Topics
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4.01. Introduction
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4.02. Malpractice
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4.02.01. Attorney-client relationship
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4.02.02. Duty
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4.02.03. Breach
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4.02.04. Causation
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4.02.05. Damages
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4.03. Defenses
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4.04. Malpractice Standard for Criminal Defendants
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4.05. Malpractice Liability to Non-Clients
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4.05.01. Prospective Clients
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4.05.02. Beneficiary of a Will
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4.05.03. Where Lawyer Assumes Duty on Behalf of Non-Client
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4.05.04. Lawyer Represents Trustee-Like Fiduciary in Breach of an Obligation to the Intended Beneficiary of Fiduciary
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4.06. Prospective Waiver of Malpractice Claim [Rule 1.8(h) (1)]
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4.07. Provision for Arbitration of Malpractice Claims
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4.08. Settling a Malpractice Claim [Rule 1.8(h)(2)]
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4.09. Inherent Power of Court to Sanction
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4.09.01. Civil Contempt
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4.09.02. Criminal Contempt
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4.10. Reading: Lanham v. Fleenor, 429 P.3d 1231 (Idaho 2018)
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4.01. Introduction
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5. Unauthorized Practice of Law16 Topics
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5.01. Introduction
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5.02. History of Unauthorized Practice of Law
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5.03. Justification for Unauthorized Practice of Law
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5.04. Criminal Restriction on Unauthorized Practice of Law
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5.05. Ethical Restriction on Unauthorized Practice of Law [Rule 5.5]
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5.05.01. Defining the Practice of Law and Prohibition on Continuous Presence [Rule 5.5(a) & (b)]
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5.05.02. Exceptions to the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Provision of Services on a Temporary Basis When Associating a Local Lawyer [Rule 5.5(c)(1)]
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5.05.03. Exceptions to the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Provision of Services on a Temporary Basis When Related to Pending or Contemplated Proceedings [Rule 5.5(c)(2)]
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5.05.04. Exceptions to the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Provision of Services on a Temporary Basis When Related to Pending or Potential Arbitration/Mediation [Rule 5.5(c)(3)]
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5.05.05. Exceptions to the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Provision of Services on a Temporary Basis in a Transactional matter [Rule 5.5(c)(4)]
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5.05.06. Exceptions to the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Provision of Services on a Regular Basis: In-house counsel [Rule 5.5(d)(1)]
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5.05.07. Exceptions to the Unauthorized Practice of Law: Provision of Services on a Regular Basis: When Authorized by Law [Rule 5.5(d)(2)]
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5.06. Judicial Definitions of Unauthorized Practice of Law
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5.07. Pro se Representation: Individuals and Corporations
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5.08. Reading: Darby v. MS State Bd. of Bar Admissions, 185 So. 2d 684 (Miss. 1966)
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5.09. Reading: Fifteenth Judicial District Unified Bar Ass'n v. Glasgow, 1999 WL 1128847 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1999)
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5.01. Introduction
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6. Duty to Work for No Compensation (Pro Bono)13 Topics
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6.01. Introduction
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6.02. Unmet Legal Needs
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6.03. Ethical Obligation to Provide Pro Bono
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6.03.01. Mandatory Pro Bono
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6.03.02. Voluntary Pro Bono [Rule 6.1]
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6.04. The Florida Case Study
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6.05. Representation Through Appointments [Rule 6.2]
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6.06. Limiting Scope of Representation [Rule 1.2(c)]
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6.06.01. Limited Scope Representation and Unbundled Legal Services
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6.06.02. Ghostwriting
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6.07. Reading: Jonathan R. Macey, "Mandatory Pro Bono: Comfort for the power or welfare for the rich?", 77 Cornell L. Rev. 1115 (1992)
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6.08. Reading: Mississippi Ethics Opinion 261
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6.09. Reading: In Re Fengling Liu, 664 F.3d 367 (2nd Cir. 2011)
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6.01. Introduction
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7. Decision to Undertake, Decline, and Withdraw from Representation; The Prospective Client15 Topics
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7.01. Introduction
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7.02. Duties Owed to A Prospective Client: Restatement (Third) of Law Governing Lawyers § 15(1)
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7.03. Ethical Obligations to Prospective Client [Rule 1.18]
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7.04. Participation in Pro Bono Legal Services [Rule 6.5]
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7.05. Accepting Representation
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7.06. Formation of an Attorney-Client Relationship
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7.06.01. Mutual Assent to Representation [Restatement § 14(1) (a)]
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7.06.02. Implied Attorney Client Relationship [Restatement § 14(1) (b)]
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7.07. Non-Engagement and Termination of Representation Letters
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7.08. Withdrawal From Representation [Rule 1.16]
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7.08.01. Mandatory Withdrawal
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7.08.02. Permissive Withdrawal
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7.09. Duty to Protect Client’s Interests Upon Termination [Rule 1.16(d)]
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7.10. Reading: TCV VI, L.P. V. Tradinscreen Inc., 2018 WL 1907212 (2018)
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7.11. Reading: Togstad v. Vesley, Otto, Miller & Keefe, 291 N.W.2d 686 (Minn. 1980)
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7.01. Introduction
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8. Division of Decisional Authority Between Lawyer and Client7 Topics
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8.01. Introduction
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8.02. “Objectives” v. “means” [Rule 1.2(a)]
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8.03. Areas of Absolute Client Autonomy
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8.04. The Diminished Client [Rule 1.14]
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8.05. Reading: Linsk v. Linsk, 70 Cal. Rptr. 544 (Cal. 1969)
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8.06. Reading: Borena v. Yellow Cab Metro, Inc., 342 S.W.3d 506 (TN COA, 2010)
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8.07. Reading: Ethics Committee Advisory Opinion No. 2014/15/5
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8.01. Introduction
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9. Competence, Diligence, and Communication8 Topics
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9.01. Introduction
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9.02. Competence [Rule 1.1]
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9.02.01. Duty to Maintain Competence in Technology [Rule 1.1, Comment 8]
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9.03. Competence in the Criminal Context: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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9.04. Diligence [Rule 1.3]
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9.05. Communication [Rule 1.4]
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9.06. Reading: A Lawyer's View of Being a Litigant, Robert S. Caine, Letter, New York Law Journal (May 16, 1994), at 2
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9.07. Reading: Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1980)
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9.01. Introduction
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10. Duty of Confidentiality: Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine18 Topics
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10.01. Introduction
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10.02. Attorney-Client Privilege
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10.02.01. Communication
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10.02.02. Made to a Privileged Person [Restatement § 70]
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10.02.02.01. Communication in the Organizational Context
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10.02.02.02. Communication Between Government Attorney and Public Official
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10.02.03. In Confidence [Restatement § 71]
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10.02.04. For the Purpose of Obtaining or Receiving Legal Assistance [Restatement § 72]
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10.03. Attorney-Client Privilege with Joint Clients [Restatement § 75]
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10.04. Attorney-Client Privilege and Common Interest Arrangement [Restatement § 76]
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10.05. Invoking the Attorney-Client Privilege
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10.06. Termination of the attorney-client privilege [Restatement §§ 78, 79, & 80]
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10.07. Exceptions to the Attorney-Client Privilege
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10.07.01. Crime-Fraud Exception [Restatement § 82]
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10.07.02. Dispute Concerning Deceased Client’s Disposition of Property
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10.08. Work Product Doctrine
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10.09. Reading: Purcell v. District Attorney for Suffolk District, 676 N.E.2d 436 (Mass. 1997)
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10.10. Reading: Upjohn Company v. United States, 449 U.S. 383 (1981)
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10.01. Introduction
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11. Duty of Confidentiality: Rule 1.6 and its exceptions22 Topics
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11.01. Introduction
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11.02. Defining the ethical obligation of confidentiality [Rule 1.6]
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11.03. Confidentiality and Technology
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11.03.01. Cybersecurity
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11.03.02. Social Media
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11.03.03. Metadata
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11.03.04. Cloud Computing
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11.03.05. Hard Drives/Copiers/Fax Machines
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11.04. Inadvertent Disclosure of Confidential Information
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11.05. Authorized Disclosures: Client Consent and Impliedly Authorized Disclosure
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11.06. Exceptions to the Duty of Confidentiality [Rule 1.6(b)]
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11.06.01. Prevent Reasonably Certain Death or Substantial Bodily Harm
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11.06.02. Prevent Client from Committing a Crime/Fraud That is Reasonably Certain to Result in Substantial Injury to the Financial Interests or Property of Another
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11.06.03. Prevent, Mitigate, or Rectify Substantial Injury to the Financial Interests or Property of Another that is Reasonably Certain to Result or has Resulted from the Client’s Commission of a Crime or Fraud
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11.06.04. To Secure Legal Advice About the Lawyer’s Compliance with Ethical Rules
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11.06.05. To Establish a Claim or Defense on Behalf of the Lawyer
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11.06.06. To Comply with Other Law or a Court Order
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11.06.07. To Detect and Resolve Conflicts of Interest Arising from the Lawyer’s Change of Employment
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11.07. Duration of the obligation of confidentiality
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11.08. Reading: In Re Skinner, 758 S.E.2d 788 (GA 2014)
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11.09. Reading: North Dakota Ethics Op. No. 95-11 (1995)
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11.10. Reading: McClure v. Thompson, 323 F.3d 1233 (9th Cir. 2003)
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11.01. Introduction
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12. Advising Clients – Both Individual and Corporate12 Topics
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12.01. Introduction
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12.02. Prohibition on Advising a Client on How to Engage in Criminal or Fraudulent Conduct [Rule 1.2(d)]
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12.03. Lawyer as an Advisor [Rule 2.1]
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12.04. Lawyer as an Evaluator [Rule 2.3]
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12.05. Limitation on Advice: Obligation to Respect the Rights of Third Persons [Rule 4.4(a)]
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12.06. The Client in the Organizational Context [Rule 1.13]
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12.07. Misconduct by an Organizational Constituents -- Reporting Up and Out
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12.08. Reading: Advising A Civil Litigation Client About Social Media, Opinion 2014-5, July 17, 2015
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12.09. Reading: People v. Chappell, 927 P.2d 829 (CO. 1996)
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12.10. Reading: State Bar of Arizona Ethics Opinion 11-01, Scope of Representation (February 2011)
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12.11. Reading: In Re Neary, 84 N.E.3d 1194 (IN. 2017)
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12.12. Reading: Perez v. Kirk & Carrigan, 822 S.W.2d 261 (TX. COA 1991)
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12.01. Introduction
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13. Conflict of Interest: Concurrent Client Conflict19 Topics
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13.01. Introduction
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13.02. “Directly Adverse” Conflicts [Rule 1.7(a)]
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13.03. “Materially Limiting” Conflicts [Rule 1.7(b)]
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13.04. When Client Can Consent to Conflict
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13.04.01. Client Right to Revoke Consent
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13.05. Multiple Client Representation: Criminal Defendants
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13.06. Multiple Client Representation: Confidential Information
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13.07. Identifying a Current Versus Former Client
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13.08. Identifying the Client in the Organizational Context
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13.09. Identifying the Client in the Governmental Context
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13.10. “Hot Potato” Rule
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13.11. Advance Waiver of Future Conflicts
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13.12. Positional Conflicts
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13.13. Representing economic competitors
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13.14. Conflict When Lawyer Serves on Legal Services Organization [Rule 6.3] or as a Member of a Law Reform Organization [Rule 6.4]
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13.15. Reading: Grievance Committee of the Bar of Hartford County v. Rottner Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut, 1964 203 A.2d 821
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13.16. Reading: Philadelphia Bar Association Professional Guidance Committee Opinion 2009-7 (July 2009)
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13.17. Reading: Florida Ethics Opinion 02-3 (JUNE 21, 2002)
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13.18. Reading: Banning Ranch Conservancy v. Superior Court, 193 Cal.App.4th 903 (2011)
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13.01. Introduction
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14. Conflict of Interest: Conflicts Between A Client and the Lawyer’s Personal Interest9 Topics
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14.01. Introduction
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14.02. Business Transactions With A Client [Rule 1.8(a)]
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14.03. Using Client Confidential Information [Rule 1.8(b)]
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14.04. Gifts From Clients [Rule 1.8(c)]
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14.05. Publication Rights [Rule 1.8(d)]
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14.06. Sexual Relations Between Lawyer and Client [Rule 1.8(j)]
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14.07. Reading: In Re Fisher, 202 P.3d 1186 (Colo. 2009)
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14.08. Reading: Passante v. McWilliams, 62 Cal. Rptr. 2d 298 (4th Cir. 1997)
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14.09. Reading: In Re Devaneey, 870 A.2d 53 (D.C. CoA 2005)
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14.01. Introduction
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15. Conflict of Interest: Former Clients13 Topics
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15.01. Introduction
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15.02. Identifying a Current and Former Client
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15.03. Explaining the Difference Between Current and Former Client Conflicts
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15.04. “Same” Matters [Rule 1.9(a)]
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15.05. “Substantially related” matters [Rule 1.9(a)]
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15.06. Issues with lawyers changing firms [Rule 1.9(b); 1.10(a)(2); and 1.10(b)]
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15.06.01. Lawyer going adverse to client of former firm [Rule 1.9(b)]
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15.06.02. Removing conflict from lawyers changing firms: the screen [Rule 1.10(a)]
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15.06.03. When lawyer leaves firm: the conflicts the lawyer leaves behind: 1.10(b)
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15.07. Using or Revealing Former Client Confidences [Rule 1.9(c)]
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15.08. Non-Lawyers Changing Firms: Secretaries/Paralegals/Law Students
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15.09. Reading: Bowers v. The Opthalmology Group, 733 F.3d 647 (6th Cir. 2013)
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15.10. Reading: Watkins v. Trans Union, LLC, 869 F.3d 514 (7th Cir. 2017)
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15.01. Introduction
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16. Communication Between Lawyers and Represented/ Unrepresented Persons7 Topics
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16.01. Introduction
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16.02. Contact with Represented Persons: “No Contact Rule” [Rule 4.2]
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16.03.01. Client-to-Client Contact
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16.03.02. Identifying who is “Represented” in the Organizational Context
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16.04. Contacting Unrepresented Persons [Rule 4.3]
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16.05. Reading: In Re Malofiy, 653 Fed. Appx. 148 (3d Cir. 2016)
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16.06. Reading: Wisconsin Professional Committee Ethics Opinion E-07-01 (July 1, 2007)
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16.01. Introduction
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17. Billing for Legal Services: Fees, Handling Client Property (Settlement Proceeds and Physical Evidence)19 Topics
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17.01. Introduction
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17.02. “Reasonableness” Standard [Rule 1.5]
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17.03. Prohibition on Sharing Fees with Non-Lawyers [Rule 5.4]
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17.04. Billing for Expenses
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17.05. Contingency Fee Agreements
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17.05.01. General Requirements
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17.05.02. Cases in which contingent fee are inappropriate
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17.06. Hourly Fee Agreements
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17.07. Nonrefundable Fees & Retainers
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17.08. Changing a Fee During the Course of Representation
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17.09. Safekeeping Client Property [Rule 1.15]
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17.10. Collecting a Fee
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17.10.01. Retaining Lien
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17.10.02. Charging Lien
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17.11. Sharing Attorney Fees with a Lawyer Outside the Firm [Rule 1.5(e)]
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17.12. Reading: In Re Fordham, 668 N.E.2d 816 (Mass. 1996)
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17.13. Reading: Mississippi Bar v. Coleman, 849 So. 2d 867 (Miss. 2002)
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17.14. Reading: Brady v. Starke, 2017 WL 487012 (Mo. Ct. App. 2017)
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17.15. Reading: Matter of Taylor, 807 S.E.2d 699 (S.C. 2017)
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17.01. Introduction
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18. The Decision to File/Prosecute a Claim; Litigation & Negotiation Tactics14 Topics
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18.01. Introduction
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18.02. Duty to file Non-Frivolous Claims/Defenses [Rule 3.1]
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18.03. Frivolousness in the Criminal Context
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18.04. Duty to Expedite Litigation [Rule 3.2]
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18.05. ADR—Lawyers as Mediators/Arbitrators [Rule 2.4]
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18.06. Lawyer as Third Party Neutral: In Future Litigation [Rule 1.12]
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18.07. Lawyer as Witness [Rule 3.7]
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18.08. Litigation Tactics [Rule 3.4(e)]
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18.09. Actions that Compromise the Impartiality of Tribunal [Rule 3.5]
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18.10. Dealing with Inadvertently Disclosed Information [Rule 4.4(b)]
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18.11. Dealing with Intentionally Disclosed Information
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18.12. Dealing with third-parties; Candor in Negotiations [Rule 4.1]
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18.13. Ethics of Settlement Agreements
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18.14. Reading: Gilster v. Primebank, 747 F.3d 1007 (8th Cir. CoA 2014)
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18.01. Introduction
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19. Lawyer’s Duties to the Tribunal10 Topics
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19.01. Introduction
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19.02. Duty to Disclose Adverse Facts [Rule 3.3(a)]
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19.03. Duty to Disclose Adverse Law [Rule 3.3(a)]
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19.04. Duty When Client or Witness Intends to Commit/has Committed Perjury [Rule 3.3(a) (3) & (c)]
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19.05. Duty in Ex Parte Proceedings [Rule 3.3(d)]
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19.06. Duty in Discovery [Rule 3.3(d)]
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19.07. Duty in Nonadjudicative Proceeding [Rule 3.9]
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19.08. False Statements Regarding Judges/Judicial Candidates [Rule 8.2]
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19.09. Reading: In The Matter of Filosa, 976 F. Supp. 2d 460 (S.D. NY 2013)
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19.10. Reading: State v. McDowell, 669 N.W.2d 204, aff’d 681 N.W.2d 500 (Wis. CoA 2003)
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19.01. Introduction
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20. Duties of a Prosecutor; Limits on Trial Publicity12 Topics
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20.01. Introduction
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20.02. Limits on charging behavior [Rule 3.8(a)]
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20.03. Obligation to Mirandize/give opportunity to procure counsel [Rule 3.8(b)]
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20.04. Duty not to seek waiver of important rights from unrepresented accused [Rule 3.8(c)]
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20.05. Duty to disclose exculpatory information [Rule 3.8(d)]
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20.06. Limitation on subpoenas to defense counsel [Rule 3.8(e)]
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20.07. Limitations on extrajudicial statements
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20.07.01. Constitutional concerns
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20.07.02. Limits on prosecutors [Rule 3.8(f)]
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20.07.03. General limitations [Rule 3.6]
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20.08. Obligations when prosecutor learns of innocence of convicted defendant [Rule 3.8(g) & (h)]
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20.09. Reading: Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Gansler, 835 A.2d 548 (Md. 2003)
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20.01. Introduction
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21. Solicitation & Marketing: Constitutional & Ethical Issues18 Topics
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21.01. Introduction
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21.02. Constitutional Aspects of Advertising
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21.03. In-Person Solicitation [Rule 7.3]
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21.04. Direct Mail Solicitation [Rule 7.3]
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21.05. “Forced Speech”: Requiring Disclaimers
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21.06. False & Deceptive Prohibition [Rule 7.1]
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21.07. Use of Trade Names
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21.08. Regulation of Internet Activity
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21.09. Testimonials
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21.10. Advertisements: General Requirements [Rule 7.2]
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21.11. Prohibition on giving anything of value for recommending services [Rule 7.2(b)]
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21.12. Reciprocal Referral Agreements [Rule 7.2(b)(4)]
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21.12. The Challenge of New forms of Marketing/Advertising
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21.13.01. “Deal of the Day” or Groupon
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21.13.02. LinkedIn Profiles
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21.14. Social Media Issues
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21.15. Reading: Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 U.S. 350 (1977)
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21.16. Reading: Ohralik v. Ohio State Bar Ass'n, 436 U.S. 447 (1978)
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21.01. Introduction
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22. Law Firm Administration Issues8 Topics
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22.01. Introduction
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22.02. Supervisory Responsibilities of Partners [Rule 5.1]
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22.03. Responsibilities of Subordinate Lawyers [Rule 5.2]
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22.04. Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants [Rule 5.3]
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22.05. Sale of a Law Practice [Rule 1.17]
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22.06. Ensuring Professional Independence of Lawyers [Rule 5.4]
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22.07. Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services [Rule 5.7]
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22.08. Reading: Mississippi Ethics Opinion No. 258 (December 01, 2011)
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22.01. Introduction
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23. Judicial Ethics35 Topics
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23.01. Introduction
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23.02. Maintain the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary in all situations
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23.03. Perform the duties of the judicial office impartially
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23.04. Avoid bias, prejudice and harassment in performing judicial duties
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23.05. Avoid improper external influences on judicial conduct
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23.06. Perform judicial functions competently and diligently
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23.07. Ensure that all parties have a right to be heard
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23.08. Maintain decorum and proper demeanor; communication with jurors
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23.09. Political activities of sitting judges
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23.10. Political Activities of Judicial Candidates for Elective Office
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23.11. Political Activity of Judges for Appointive Office
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23.12. Role of campaign committees in judicial campaign
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23.13. Judges who become candidates for non-judicial office
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23.14. Ex parte communications
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23.15. Disqualification
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23.15.01. General standard of disqualification (“impartiality might reasonably be questioned”)
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23.15.02. Situations where judge must disqualify
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23.16. Remittal of disqualification
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23.17. The “rule of necessity”
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23.18. Restrictions on “extrajudicial activities”
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23.18.01. General restrictions on extrajudicial activities
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23.18.02. Appearances before governmental bodies and consultation with government officials
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23.18.03. Testifying as a character witness
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23.18.04. Appointment to a governmental positions
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23.18.05. Use of non-public information
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23.18.06. Involvement with discriminatory organizations
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23.18.07. Participation in educational, religious, charitable, fraternal, or civic organizations and activities
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23.18.08. Appointments to fiduciary positions
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23.18.09. Service as an arbitrator or mediator
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23.18.10. Practice of law
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23.18.11. Financial, business and remunerative activities
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23.18.12. Compensation for extrajudicial activities
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23.18.13. Judge accepting gifts, loans, bequests, benefits, or other things of value
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23.18.14. Reimbursement of expenses and waivers of fee or charges
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23.19. Reading: Republican Party v. White, 122 S.Ct. 32528 (2002)
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23.01. Introduction
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Course Wrap-UpWhat Did We Learn?
Lesson 8, Topic 5
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7.05. Accepting Representation
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A lawyer in the United States has no obligation to accept any particular client. That means that a lawyer can reject any client they want. For example, the law firm of Cordell & Cordell in Tennessee expressly states on its website that it focuses on “men’s divorce” and brags: “Men have chosen Cordell & Cordell because of our dedication to leveling the playing field for men in family law cases.”[1] Clearly the Cordell law firm will turn down any woman that attempts to hire them. There is one limitation on the ability to reject a client –that is when a court appoints a lawyer to represent someone. In those situations, the lawyer must accept the representation unless there is a valid basis for rejecting it (see Rule 6.2). Other than that, however, a lawyer is free to reject any client for any reason.
[1] www.cordellcordell.com (last visited April 12, 2017). I should mention that there is a case out of Massachusetts in which the Massachusetts for Discrimination held that a law firm which only represented women in divorce cases violated that state’s anti-discrimination law. This is the only case of its kind and has been very controversial. Stropnicky v. Nathanson, 1999 WL 33453078 (Mass. Comm’n Against Discr. 1999).