Legal Question in Legal Ethics in New Jersey

Responsibility of Law Partner

I work at a firm for two attorneys Partners). One partner has asked me several times to bill on her individual letterhead for work she and I have done during regular business hours. One invoice in particular was for over $40,000.00 (an estate for which a majority of the work was done by me). She then deposits these funds into her personal account. I don't know if this is just a morally ''gray'' area, or if it is actually unethical according to the State of New Jersey.


Asked on 1/08/08, 5:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Davies The Davies Law Firm, P.A.

Re: Responsibility of Law Partner

Wow. I know that if my partner was doing that, I would very much want to know that. You have a difficult situation, because the two partners may have already agreed on the arrangement which you describe. You might be considered a troublemaker. However, it would be appropriate to ask your boss if this is the case, that the two partners have agreed upon all of this, and whether she would mind you just talking with the partner about it to make sure he is OK with it.

If you are an attorney, then there are more layers to this situation. You may want to call the NJ Supreme Court's office on attorney ethics.

I have no idea whether this is or is not an ethical violation or worse; I just know that both attorneys clearly need to be aware of what is going on.

Good luck. Difficult situation.

Read more
Answered on 1/08/08, 6:07 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility questions and answers in New Jersey