Lawyers, Colleagues Can’t Ignore Impairment, Ethics Opinion Says

Lawyers whose mental impairment affects their ability to practice law, as well as their colleagues who are aware of the problem, can’t ignore it because of ethical duties to firm clients, a California State Bar ethics advisory opinion said.

“These ethical obligations may include, but are not limited to, communicating significant developments related to the lawyer’s conduct to the client and promptly taking reasonable remedial action to prevent or mitigate any adverse consequences resulting from an impaired lawyer’s actions,” the bar said.

The legal profession, which has long emphasized work over quality of life, has only recently taken steps ...