When Lawyers Protest: Professional Responsibility and Ethics
From CLEs You Actually Want to Hear by Beverly Hills Bar Association
June 9, 2026 · 1h 1m · Season 2 · Episode 140
About this episode
The episode explores the intersection of lawyers' professional responsibilities and their participation in public protests and civic actions.
Lawyers are increasingly visible in moments of public protest, civic action, and political expression. Join law professor and ethics expert Renee Knake Jefferson for a timely and practical examination of how professional responsibility rules apply when lawyers engage in protest and other forms of public participation. This program goes beyond the question of whether lawyers may protest to explore what the legal profession owes to the public when its members do. Drawing on recent, real-world examples, the ABA Model Rules, disciplinary cases, and emerging scholarship, the session will examine how ethical duties related to professionalism, public confidence in the justice system, and lawyer conduct intersect with civic engagement. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where ethical boundaries lie, how those boundaries are shifting, and how to navigate public action without jeopardizing professional standing or public trust.
People in this episode
Guest: Renee Knake Jefferson
Topics covered
- lawyers and protest
- professional responsibility
- ethics in civic engagement
- public participation
- legal profession duties
- public trust
- professionalism
Keywords
- lawyers
- protest
- ethics
- professional responsibility
- public engagement
- ABA Model Rules
- civic action
- disciplinary cases
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ABA
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