The Ethical Challenges of Remote Work: The Four Critical Duties Lawyers Must Uphold
whitepaper
Summary
When working remotely, there are circumstances that can compromise a lawyer’s professional obligations, such as a lack of privacy at home, cybersecurity risks, and the difficulty of supervising others remotely. While working from home or another remote location may present challenges, your ethical obligations as a lawyer require that you continue to fulfill the duties imposed by the applicable rules of ethics, regardless of location. Those duties include the duty of competence, the duty of diligence, the duty of confidentiality, and the duty to supervise.
This white paper provides a summary of the key ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct that are implicated by remote work, and practical suggestions for how you can fulfill them. The strategies described in this paper – from identifying security risks and maintaining awareness, to communicating clearly and making time for self-care – can help you provide competent and diligent representation, protect client-confidential information, and effectively supervise others – even while working away from the office.
In this Whitepaper
- The Four Core Duties
- The Challenges Posed by Remote Work
- Tips for Meeting Those Challenges
Key Insights
- The Importance of Following Policy
- The Dangers of Shared Spaces
- The Value of Patience and Grace
Whitepaper Download
About the Author
Maureen O’Neill
Senior Vice President, Strategic Engagement
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