All attorneys have ethical obligations by virtue of the unique relationship between practitioners and clients. Where attorneys fail to comply with those ethical obligations or where they deviate from the standard of care, those attorneys can face bar grievances or even legal malpractice exposure.

Sometimes, more junior attorneys, like new associates joining a law firm after graduating from law school, may assume that their inexperience will insulate them from accountability for misconduct. They may believe that it’s the more senior lawyer’s job to make sure that ethical rules are being followed. But associates owe professional duties to their clients that are independent of their believed lack of seniority.