Posted by Jennifer on 3/17/04

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I'm a non-legal professional working in a law firm. My
questions pertain to one of the newer attorneys on board.
Generally, I wouldn't worry about an issue such as thing,
but events seem to be reaching a point where they may
impact business.

I work in a small law firm dealing primarily with domestic
issues. My co-worker is having a long-standing affair with
her paralegal, unbeknownst to the managing partner. Her
paralegal is married, has a child, and has an irate husband
who is threatening to go public with the affair. I realize
that this is an issue of personal ethics - adultery. I'm
wondering if there is also an issue of professional ethics,
particularly since our firm deals primarily with issues of
divorce, custody, and the like.

I'm usually a live-and-let-live sort, but if the
paralegal's husband does decide to publicize the issue, I
fear that it will taint the business since we are
frequently in the position of using adultery as a wedge
issue. I fear that in a small community, the damage to the
newer attorney's reputation and perception of lack of
ethics and integrity will impact us negatively as a whole.

Is this solely an issue of personal ethics, or does this
cross over into any area of professional ethics that should
be addressed?

Jennifer

Professional vs. Personal Attorney Ethics, 3/17/04, by Jennifer.

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