Ethical Mistakes that Could Cost You Your License explores the most frequent missteps that lead to attorney discipline—and how to avoid them. From trust account violations to client communication breakdowns, unauthorized practice of law, and improper withdrawal from representation, this program draws from real-world scenarios and applicable ABA Model Rules. Participants will leave with practical tools to improve ethical decision-making, reduce professional risk, and deliver better client service.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common ethical violations that lead to discipline, suspension, or disbarment.
2. Apply the appropriate ABA Model Rules when managing client funds, communications, and fees.
3. Recognize the boundaries of authorized practice and how to ethically manage multijurisdictional or remote work.
4. Evaluate best practices for withdrawal from representation while safeguarding client interests.
5. Understand the disciplinary process and consequences of failing to respond to a complaint.
Cari L. Sheehan is Assistant General Counsel at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, where she focuses on professional responsibility, conflicts of interest compliance, and civil litigation. She regularly reviews outside counsel guidelines, conflict waivers, and engagement letters, and provides firm-wide ethics training. In addition to her role at Taft, Sheehan is an adjunct professor at Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where she teaches Professional Responsibility.