'Subordinate' lawyers must be ready to challenge supervisors
"Older lawyers (like me) may muse wistfully about a time when you could believe what you read in the newspaper," Karen Erger writes in the October Illinois Bar Journal. "But younger lawyers -- including those who will soon be raising their right hands and solemnly swearing (or affirming) to uphold the State and Federal Constitution, and faithfully discharge their duties as attorneys and counselors of law -- have grown up with the Internet, and are well aware of the need to make their own determinations of the value and veracity of every bit of information found there.
"A tendency to question authority will help new lawyers live up to their ethical obligation," Erger writes. "Most of them will begin their careers as 'subordinate lawyers' who work at the direction of 'supervising lawyers.' And the Rules of Professional Conduct require subordinate lawyers to exercise independent judgment about their professional obligations, even when a supervising lawyer is calling the shots." Read on and find out more.
Member Comments (1)
I failed to listen to an associate just a few weeks ago. He had to come to me a 3rd time to point out why he was concerned. It turns out, when I stopped and really listened, I learned the full fact pattern and realized I had sent him in the wrong direction. I had to thank him for his persistence.
Especially for ethical issues, both the responsible / working attorney and the supervising attorney have clearly spelled out duties.