Question

Using ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, NALA’s Paralegal Canons of Ethics, and NFPA’s Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility answer the following:

3. You have overheard a client telling his friend that he has hidden documents that would have a negative impact on his case.

Rule/cannon:

Violation/Cannon:

Answer 1

This assessment will explain the rule and correction of the given case study or statement where a paralegal overheard a client telling his friend that he has hidden documents that might negatively impact the case.

Rule/ Cannon: As per the rule, a legal professional or a paralegal needs to do all things incidental, necessary, or desirable for the attainment of responsibilities and ethics defined by the statute or court rule.

Violation/ correction: here, as he knows that his client is hiding something, the paralegal needs to confront this to his client and understand that it is not correct to hide any information relevant to the case.

He should stick with his ethics and responsibilities and tell his client straight that he needs to explain everything to him, which is significant in the jury or court's decision-making.

Otherwise, he should not lead the case and leave it as per the rules of professional conduct.