Meredith Kaplan Stoma Authors Law360 Expert Analysis on Ethically Navigating Challenges in Attorney-Client Relationships

Newark, N.J. (December 14, 2022) - Newark Partner Meredith Kaplan Stoma recently authored an Expert Analysis article for Law360 titled, “How To Deal With Difficult Clients, Practically And Ethically,” which discusses strategies for navigating challenges that arise in attorney-client relationships while adhering to ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct (Rules).

Ms. Stoma opens the article by describing the recent legal news regarding three large law firms that are seeking to withdraw from representing Ye (the rapper formerly known as Kanye West). Against this backdrop, Ms. Stoma observes, “Across the board, attorney-client relationships, as well as the termination of these relationships, present ethical and practical issues that lawyers must handle carefully so that they do not violate the [Rules].”

The article goes on to discuss common obstacles that attorneys often address in their work with clients, including communication issues, a client’s refusal to follow legal advice or pay legal bills, a client’s desire to lie to the court or opposing counsel, a client’s diminished capacity, as well as the termination of the attorney-client relationship. Ms. Stoma provides guidance for handling these challenges as well as analyses of the particular Rules that attorneys must consider when doing so. She closes the article by advising that “attorneys’ familiarity with the Rules and willingness to reach out for legal assistance when necessary will go a long way in protecting them from breaching their professional responsibilities and potentially incurring liability.”

Ms. Stoma serves as vice-chair of Lewis Brisbois’ Legal Malpractice and Professional Liability Practices. She has substantial and wide-ranging experience in defending professionals – including attorneys, accountants, architects, engineers, insurance producers, and real estate agents and brokers – in professional malpractice actions throughout the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area.

Read the full article as a PDF here and on Law360 here (subscription may be required).