Shari Klevens (left) and Alanna Clair, Dentons. (Courtesy photos)

In the fourth of the series of articles about lawyers' Seven Deadly Sins, this article addresses the professional risks that can arise from gluttony. In the context of law firm management and professional conduct, gluttony is that behavior in which an attorney overindulges or overconsumes, whether it relates to new clients, new types of matters, or even a more traditional vice.

Attorneys are, by nature, competitive and many have a significant drive to succeed. However, those attorneys who do not know when to stop or when to say no can face additional risks.

Duty of Competence

Rule 1.1 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides: “A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.”

For attorneys who are trying to grow a practice or to bring in some extra work, there may be a temptation to take on work for which the attorney is not suitably qualified. In such a scenario, an attorney may feel comfortable “learning on the job” for a specific type of matter so that they can earn an additional fee.

There are attorneys whose skills translate into being able to do multiple types of legal work; some areas of the law, however, may be quite niche or require specialized experience. By holding onto representations that exceed the attorney's capability, the attorney may be increasing their risk for a malpractice claim. Indeed, even the most competent and well-qualified attorneys can make mistakes, but a mistake may be claimed by a client to be more pronounced if the attorney was inexperienced in that particular subject matter.

This does not mean that attorneys cannot learn new areas of the law or expand their practice. But it can be helpful for attorneys to review whether they have the experience necessary to take on a novel type of work and the proper support to assist—or whether the attorney is biting off more than they can chew.

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest can be complicated—and can sometimes keep attorneys from accepting work that they otherwise want to do. However, it can be gluttonous for attorneys to try to represent clients in the face of a conflict of interest. Proceeding with a representation in the face of a conflict of interest calls into question the attorney's duty of loyalty and whether the attorney put his or her own personal interests ahead those of their clients'.

Thus, many law firms require their attorneys to deal with conflicts right away, before the representation begins. Many firms have systems in place to review potential new matters and advise on whether conflicts exist and can be resolved. Some firms will not even permit a new matter to be opened until the conflicts check is resolved. This is because conflicts issues rarely get better as time passes.

Some attorneys may be tempted to ignore a conflict so that they can keep a representation, but such overindulgence can come at a steep cost. Critically, just because a conflict exists does not mean that the representation is over. Indeed, there may be opportunities for waivers or other consent. But willfully ignoring a known conflict of interest creates risk.

Work-Life Balance and Health

Attorneys work hard. Sometimes this drive to work hard at all costs can have steep consequences. Indeed, attorneys who are gluttons for their own work and never take a vacation day or turn off their phone can find themselves negatively affected by the toll that stress can take. Client, peer and self-imposed pressure often creates high stress levels within a law firm and for individual attorneys. While many lawyers are perfectionists in their practice, success in the practice of law can come at the expense of attorneys' own well-being. Burnout is a real thing, and sometimes attorneys need to say “no” to new obligations or expectations for the sake of their mental health.

Attorneys deal with stress in different ways. As a profession, however, lawyers face higher rates of alcohol and drug dependency and mental health issues. The ABA has been galvanized on this issue since the landmark study published in 2016 by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the ABA's Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs. This study highlighted troubling trends. According to the study, 21 percent of working attorneys qualify as “problem drinkers,” 28 percent deal with depression, and 19 percent struggle with anxiety issues. The study, which has been widely acknowledged as the most comprehensive of its kind, also showed that attorneys with less than 10 years' experience are the most likely to suffer these problems. Remarkably, nearly 1 in 3 younger lawyers are “problem drinkers.”

In late 2018, the ABA took further steps to ring the alarm for law firms, calling firms to seriously address substance abuse and related mental health issues among their members. In response, several Big Law firms have signed pledges to implement a seven-step plan within their firms to help support attorneys and reduce the risks of substance abuse disorders.

The Well-Being Pledge for Legal Employers asks firms to agree to:

1. Provide robust education to attorneys and staff on well-being, mental health and substance use disorders;
2. Reduce the expectation of alcohol at firm events;
3. Partner with outside providers who are committed to reducing substance use disorders and mental health distress;
4. Provide confidential access to addiction and mental health experts and resources;
5. Develop proactive policies and protocols to support assessment and treatment;
6. Show that the firm's core values include self-care and getting help when needed; and
7. Use the pledge to attract and retain the best talent.

In agreeing to this Well-Being Pledge, law firms are taking steps to reduce the stigmas surrounding substance abuse and mental health, and are also expressing solidarity with colleagues who need support.

Shari L. Klevens is a partner at Dentons US in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and serves on the firm's U.S. board of directors. She represents and advises lawyers and insurers on complex claims and is co-chair of Dentons' global insurance sector team.

Alanna Clair, also a partner at Dentons US in Washington, focuses on professional liability and insurance defense. Klevens and Clair are co-authors of “The Lawyer's Handbook: Ethics Compliance and Claim Avoidance” and the upcoming 2019 edition of “Georgia Legal Malpractice Law.”

Related stories:

The Seven Deadly Sins of Lawyers, No. 3: Lust

The Seven Deadly Sins of Lawyers, No. 2: Pride

The Seven Deadly Sins of Lawyers, No. 1: Sloth