The duty to supervise others is a critical aspect of practicing law, but it’s is sometimes overlooked in the hierarchy of ethical obligations. The consequences of failing to supervise less experienced lawyers or nonlawyers can be significant. For example, recently a Pennsylvania lawyer with an unblemished record was suspended from the practice of law for six months because he failed to take reasonable steps to monitor and supervise an assistant who stole thousands of dollars from clients.

Critically, the Pennsylvania bar found that the lawyer knew that the assistant had previously stolen client funds in 2013 and again in 2016. Thus, the lawyer’s failure to take additional steps—either by way of instituting additional oversight safeguards or effective remedial action—led to disciplinary action.