The Vulnerable Client: Standing at the Crossroad of Compassion and Competence

5 Pages Posted: 8 Dec 2018

See all articles by Jan L. Jacobowitz

Jan L. Jacobowitz

Legal Ethics Advisor; University of Miami - School of Law

Marni Lennon

University of Miami - School of Law

Date Written: 2018

Abstract

“The sturdiest pillars of human morality are compassion and a sense of justice.” -- Frans de Waal.

The elderly woman seeking limited legal assistance on the phone shares a compelling story, but is the person with whom you are speaking actually the client? The precocious young girl seeking asylum with her mother has a sudden change of heart because she misses her boyfriend. Do you follow her direction? A United States citizen seeks citizenship for his alien wife. One day, she appears in your office with bruises on her face and reports that her husband has not come home for three days — he is probably with his mistress. Your paralegal has assured the woman that you will take care of her and she will win her case. How do you proceed? You represent a fourteen-year-old boy who has been charged with drug possession and resisting arrest. You have a strong defense, but he also has a pending dependency case. Moreover, he does not want to participate in the drug treatment program recommended by the Department of Children and Families. How do you advise him?

No doubt, compassion is a prerequisite for understanding and communicating effectively with a vulnerable client; however, a lawyer’s conduct must also lie within the parameters of the legal ethics rules. The rules mandate competence, diligence, effective client communication, confidentiality, and identification of conflicts of interest. Upon a casual reading, these mandates may appear to be clearly defined, but often become complex as applied — especially when compassion compels assistance and the rules suggest that it may be contra-indicated due to a conflict of interest or a client’s prerogative to direct his case.

Keywords: legal ethics, public interest law, vulnerable clients, attorney client relationship

Suggested Citation

Jacobowitz, Jan L. and Lennon, Marni, The Vulnerable Client: Standing at the Crossroad of Compassion and Competence (2018). MIE Legal Aid Journal, Summer 2018, University of Miami Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-2, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3283889

Jan L. Jacobowitz (Contact Author)

Legal Ethics Advisor ( email )

6500 SW 100th ST
Miami, FL 33156
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://legalethicsadvisor.com

University of Miami - School of Law ( email )

1311 Miller Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States

Marni Lennon

University of Miami - School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 248087
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States

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