Clear and Unambiguous Duty

 An organization’s internal investigation can be stressful for all involved. Notwithstanding an employee’s desire to be helpful and cooperative, questioning by the organization’s lawyer is likely viewed with some trepidation, acknowledges Charles J. Northrup in his ethics column, “Clear and Unambiguous Duty” in the April Illinois Bar Journal. Let’s face it, Northrup continues, when lawyers come asking questions, it means (sometimes) there is a problem. Northrup, general counsel for the Illinois State Bar Association, suggests that, given the possibility of “professional consequences” when participating in an internal investigation, lawyers need to be mindful of their obligations. We begin with the cardinal rule of organizational representation: The organization is your client (acting through its duly authorized constituents).

 Read the April Illinois Bar Journal’s article, "Clear and Unambiguous Duty"