All lawyers, regardless of years of experience, have the same unique ethical obligations to others. However, some associates or more junior attorneys sometimes make the mistake of assuming that their inexperience will insulate them from accountability for misconduct, large and small.

However, associates and more junior lawyers have professional obligations to their clients that are not impacted by their lack of seniority. And although associates are often trained on the job and mentored or supervised by more senior members of the bar, if associates fail to meet their obligations, they might find themselves in hot water.