interactive ethical issues in intake and hotline services
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Interactive Ethical Issues in Intake and Hotline Services. Paula Pierce David Godfrey. Center for Elder Rights Advocacy. Service of Elder Law of Michigan Partner in the National Legal Resource Center - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Interactive Ethical Issues in Intake and Hotline Services
Paula PierceDavid Godfrey
Center for Elder Rights Advocacy
Service of Elder Law of MichiganPartner in the National Legal Resource
CenterTechnical Assistance Provider to Senior
Legal Helplines and other Legal and Aging Services Advocates
nlrc.aoa.gov legalhotlines.org
Getting Started
MutedRaise Your
HandQuestionsPollsRecorded
Why Ethics?
Protect Lawyers and Clients Model Rules of Professional Conduct
State variations California has a unique system
Baseline Standards Guidance
Ethics in Hotline Work
Limited timeImportant DecisionsPressure to decide / advise
Different kind of an ethics program
Video ClipsPollsQuestions – raise your hand SuggestionsMost likely model rules
I just need a quick answer!
http://youtu.be/hJSSYjknHoM Bob Smith
Quick Raise of Hands!
Would you say, yes, the form is from the Department of Motor Vehicles, go ahead and use it?
Sounds Simple Enough
What are the risks of just saying Yes? You haven’t seen the formYou don’t know what the car is Capacity / Undue influenceUnintended impact on public benefits
eligibility
Poll: What is the most likely ethical issue?
Possible conflict of interest with sisterCompetent representationCan’t give advice about a gift Client under a disability
See Rule 1.7 Conflict Of Interest: Current Clients Rule 1.1 Competence; Rule 1.14 Client With Diminished Capacity; Rule 1.8 Conflict Of Interest
Conflict with sister?
Same issue, different clientMultiple clients on same or related issue Same issue, past client Contrary to past clientContrary to current client
See: Rule 1.7 Conflict Of Interest
Can you buy the car from Bob?
Raise your hand if you say Yes
Business with a client Only with proper disclosureBest to avoid
See Rule 1.8 Conflict Of Interest
Can’t give advice about a gift?
Red herring answer There is something about gifts in the rules
Can you accept the car as a gift from Bob?
Raise hand if you think Yes
See Rule 1.8 Conflict Of Interest (c) gifts
Client Under a Disability
Always be awareUndue InfluenceTo the extent possible maintain a normal
attorney client relationship Owe all duties to a client under a disability No indication of any issue here
See rule 1.14
Competent Representation
Most basic ethical duty Know the factsKnow the lawKnow the client
See rule 1.1
Poll: What would you do?
Refer to private bar to draft POA Ask to speak to sister before giving advice Give caller advice on the phone about
whether he can use DMV form Don't give advice without getting more
facts
Video Clip 2 - Pat
http://youtu.be/PcxrXMmWobM
Quick Raise of Hands?
Have you ever talked a client through completing a form over the phone?
Challenges with Pat?
Capacity Literacy Poorly worded formCan you talk her son through helping her
See Rule 1.14 Client under a disability
Poll: What is the most likely ethical challenge?
Conflict with son Unauthorized practice of lawCompetent representation Client under a disability
Conflict with son?
Conflicts area always a possibility when talking to a third party about a client matter
Implicit waiver if she hands son the phone and says “explain this to him”
See Rule 1.7
Unauthorized Practice of Law
If she is doing it herself, it is assisted pro se
Not UPLForm is designed for consumer use Helping son, help her, might be seen as
UPL
Competent Representation
Do you know Law Facts Client
See Rule 1.1
Raise Hand
Under the circumstances, competent representation is not offering Pat advice over the phone?
Raise your hand if you agree
Client Under a Disability
Capacity is a spectrum – not an on/off switch
What might be the issueVisionLiteracyDementia
Until we know more – In a nutshell, Capacity is the ability to
make and communicate an informed decision
See rule 1.14
Raise your hand if you agree
Given time Pat can likely provide enough information to knowingly complete the form?
Poll: What is the best option for helping Pat?
I can guide her through this over the phone
A face-to-face meeting with an advocateSend her a letter with step-by-step written
instructions on how to complete the formTell her son how to help his mother
complete the form
Video Clip 3: Carlos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz0vOpZePoc
Raise Hands
Does your hotline have someone trained to assist victims of domestic violence?
What are the legal issues and challenges?Domestic violenceImmediate safety and needs Longer term safety Necessity of avoiding public disclosureNecessity of avoiding family disclosure
What are the ethical challenges presented?ConfidentialityEmpowering the client to make an
informed decision
Client-Lawyer RelationshipRule 1.6 Confidentiality Of Information(a) A lawyer shall not reveal information relating
to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b).
(b)(6) to comply with other law or a court order; or
(c) A lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, information relating to the representation of a client.
Poll: What are the risks of the standard response to DV ie: file a police report ask the court for a restraining order? (select all that apply)
Carlos may not want to do thisA same sex couple is not entitled to
protection Fear of the system Risk of disclosure Risk of escalated violence if Carlos does
nothing
Carlos may not want to do
Many victims of DV are reluctant to actDV experts can help empower Carlos Explaining risks of doing nothingExploring alternative options Ultimately if Carlos says “No” –
No means No
Same-sex Couples are not protected
State-by-state question Talk to an expert before moving forward If not covered by DV statute – explore
alternative options A battery is still a battery, even if it is not
covered as DV Even if covered as DV, must have level of
comfort with police and courts Comfort and accommodation in DV services
Fear of the system
Local PoliceLocal Courts (court personnel and judges) TreatmentConfidentiality Your past experience – known changesCultivate contacts with Police and Courts
before you need them
Poll: Would you?
Refer immediately to DV hotline and shelter
Explain options and dangersDiscuss "safety first plans" with callerCall the police to report the crime
Risk of disclosure
Outing is emotionally and financially damaging
Carlos could lose family, employment The decision to disclose, belongs to the
client under rule 1.6
Risk of escalating violence
The research says yes, the risk is real Urge changes for his safety
How would you help Carlos?
Protect his confidence Seek fully informed consentWork with DV specialists that you know
and trust to protect Carlos’s confidence All the above
Video Clip 4: Sally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfZpyx9Gn_E
Quick Raise Your Hand!
If you have ever had a “Sally” as your client?
What are the challenges?
Sounds like she has capacityTells you she wants to defendStarted the processHas failed to follow through Assisted pro se is always a challengeAssessing clients’ ability to follow through
is even harder See rule 1.14
Capacity
Client may not be under a disability But may not be able to follow through
Assessing ability to follow through is always a challenge
See Rule 1.14 and 1.4 communication with a client
Assisted pro se
Always a challengeBut helps many clients we can not
represent Keep it simple
When did this case stop being simple?
Determine based on local procedure what cases are easy pro se and what are not
Develop step by step guides
Poll: What should you do with requests for assisted pro se?
Help as much as you can – everyone deserves their day in court
Nothing, once you start helping, you are obligated to help all the way through
Only advise pro se for clients and issues that you feel will have a good chance of success
Poll: Based on Sally’s current situation what is the best option?
Draft the motions, have her sign them, and file them with the court for her
Advise her to withdraw her defense Tell her she needs to hire a private
attorney to oppose sanctions against herConnect her with a full service legal aid
program or pro bono attorney to represent her through the remainder of this matter
What ethical rules?
1.1 Competence 1.2 Scope of representation 1.3 Diligence1.4 Communication with a client 1.9 Duties to former clients 3.3 Candor toward the tribunal
Links for Video Clips
Scenario 1 – Bobhttp://youtu.be/
hJSSYjknHoMScenario 2 – Pathttp://youtu.be/
PcxrXMmWobMScenario 3 – Carloshttp://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=kz0vOpZePocScenario 4 – Sally Smithhttp://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=JfZpyx9Gn_E
Thank You!