What to Expect During the Unexpected: Ethical Issues for Lawyers When Crisis Strikes

The current pandemic hit us all by surprise and as a country, we do not have a playbook on how to handle this unprecedented crisis. As lawyers, however, the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, is the playbook for all situations we face in our practice. In addition, courts, bar associations and licensing authorities are promulgating additional guidance on the standards lawyers should follow to fulfill our obligations to clients, courts, adversaries, and others we deal with in our practice during this disruption.

Using the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and other guidelines, Fran Griesing will explain what lawyers need to know about:

• The changing status of government orders on practicing law
• The duty to remain competent; the challenges of constantly evolving law and legal issues
• The duty to abide by the rules even in emergencies
• The obligations of senior lawyers to supervise junior lawyers and professional staff when working apart, and the obligations of junior lawyers
• The duty of diligence; meeting deadlines and keeping clients informed
• The duty to protect client confidences and the challenges of working remotely
• The duty to avoid conflicts of interest
• The importance of protecting all lawyers from exclusion and bias
• The importance of maintaining civility and respect for others
• Other top ethical challenges facing lawyers

Presenter:

Francine Friedman Griesing is the founder of Griesing Law, LLC, a woman-owned and operated firm based in Philadelphia. She is a strategic advisor to executives and general counsel at the country’s largest institutions with over 35 years of experience representing clients in business transactions, commercial litigation, employment matters, and alternate dispute resolution. In 2010, Fran launched Griesing Law during one of the worst economic climates, with a few staff members and limited office space. Fran faced firsthand the challenges of starting a business during a time of uncertainty. However, what we are experiencing presently is incomparable with recent history and we do not have a handbook to deal with the impact of this pandemic. Her expertise in legal and business ethics provide a foundation for maintaining professional responsibility when encountered with difficult times. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law with honors in 1981 and served as an Editor of The Law Review and as student representative to the faculty hiring and tenure committee.