Dealing With Drama: Staying Ethical and Professional With Challenging Clients and Counsel

This one-hour CLE gives lawyers real-world guidance on handling stressful and difficult professional situations — without stepping outside the bounds of the ethics rules. Using the ABA Model Rules and key ethics opinions, the program walks through how to manage demanding or unethical clients, set clear expectations in fee and engagement agreements, protect client confidentiality, and properly withdraw when necessary.

The second half focuses on dealing with opposing counsel who behave unprofessionally — including bullying, dishonesty, or delay tactics. We’ll also discuss how to document those interactions, when to step in as a bystander, and how to protect your client and your license if things escalate.

Whether you’re just starting out or need a reset on handling the human side of law practice, this session offers practical advice, ethical safeguards, and examples that are easy to apply right away.

Topics covered include:

Legal Ethics Law Practice

Agenda:

Introductory Overview

Why this matters: common ethics pitfalls with clients and lawyers
Preview of key ABA Model Rules (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.15, 1.16, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.4, 8.4)
Select ABA Formal Opinions referenced: 472 (limited scope), 477R (secure communications), 480 (public commentary), 496 (negotiations)

Part 1: Managing Difficult Clients

Core rules for the client relationship: 1.2 (scope), 1.4 (communication), 1.5 (fees), 1.6 (confidentiality), 1.15 (safekeeping property), 1.16 (ending)
Avoiding “scope creep” with clear engagement terms and closure protocols (Rule 1.2(c); FO 472/492 concepts)
Setting and managing communication expectations (Rule 1.4(a)-(b); secure comms under FO 477R)
Using FAQs and written tools to empower clients and reduce grievances (Rule 1.4(b))
Ethical red flags in client behavior (Rules 1.16(b), 3.3, 3.4, 4.1)
When a client pressures you to cross a line (Rules 1.2(d), 3.3, 1.6(b)(2)–(3), 1.16)
Toolkit wrap: engagement letter + FAQ + communications policy + withdrawal playbook

Part 2: Dealing With Difficult Lawyers

Core duties to opposing counsel and the tribunal (Rules 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.4, 8.4; Preamble ¶9; Rule 1.3 cmt. 1 on diligence)
Civility vs. misconduct: gamesmanship, delay, sharp practice (Rules 4.4(a), 8.4(d))
Courtroom conduct & candor: cooperate on timing, correct misimpressions, avoid weaponized objections (Rules 3.2, 3.3; FO 496 on negotiation statements)
Protection checklist: confirm in writing, bring a witness, keep an incident log, escalate deliberately
“Active witness” bystander interventions to reset tone (Rules 4.4(a), 8.4(d))
The problem of bullying in the profession — key data (Illinois Commission on Professionalism, 2024) and why professionalism matters
Organizational responses and accountability (Rules 5.1, 5.3): policies, training, safe reporting, judicial tools/standing orders

Takeaways & Action Plan

Practical ethics safeguards for daily practice
Five steps to implement immediately to protect yourself, your clients, and your license
Rules reinforced: 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 4.4, 8.4

Questions & Answers (as time permits)

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

When: Premieres in 65 days | November 19, 2025 10:00 AM PT

Register Now

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

*CLE credit is only available to Justia Connect Pros. Not a Pro? Upgrade today>>

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

This presentation is approved for one hour of Legal Ethics CLE credit in California, and one hour of Ethics CLE credit in North Carolina. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours, of which 1.00 credit hours will apply to Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit.

Justia only reports attendance in jurisdictions in which a particular Justia CLE Webinar is officially accredited. Lawyers may need to self-submit their certificates for CLE credit in jurisdictions not listed above.

Note that CLE credit, including partial credit, cannot be earned outside of the relevant accreditation period. To earn credit for a course, a lawyer must watch the entire course within the relevant accreditation period. Lawyers who have viewed a presentation multiple times may not be able to claim credit in their jurisdiction more than once. Justia reserves the right, at its discretion, to grant an attendee partial or no credit, in accordance with viewing duration and other methods of verifying course completion.

At this time, Justia only offers CLE courses officially accredited in certain states. Lawyers may generate a generic attendance certificate to self-submit credit in their own jurisdiction, but Justia does not guarantee that lawyers will receive their desired CLE credit through the self-submission or reciprocity process.

Looking for CLE credit? Visit CLE Dashboard

Speaker

Jeanne M. Huey Managing Partner
Hunt Huey PLLC

Jeanne M. Huey is a Texas trial lawyer and ethics advisor with over 27 years of experience. She defends lawyers in grievances and malpractice cases, advises on ethics compliance, acts as an expert on professional responsibility and ethics issues and helps law firms build policies that prevent problems. Jeanne serves as Co-Chair of the ABA Litigation Section’s Ethics & Professionalism Committee and speaks nationally on emerging ethics issues. Read More ›

Watch Related Videos

CLE

Jim Doppke Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC

What We Could Be Now Civility and Ethics 2025

Watch Now

CLE

Tracy L. Kepler CNA's Lawyers Insurance Program

The “Snitch” Rule Rule 8.3 & Your Duty To Report Attorney Misconduct

Watch Now