Ethics of Working with Consultants and Expert Witnesses

In whatever jurisdiction they may practice, lawyers are subject to ethical

rules and guidelines fashioned, at least in part, on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Responsibility (Model Rules). Consultants and other non-legal professionals are not subject to the Model Rules or their jurisdictional equivalent. Nonetheless, where these individuals work for or in conjunction with lawyers on legal matters, the affiliated lawyers may (and often are) responsible for ensuring that these nonlawyers comply with the lawyer’s own ethical obligations. This program will discuss the applicable legal standards that apply in these relationships, as well as strategies and ethical considerations of working with consultants and other non-legal professionals.