Closing the Year with Integrity - Ethics and Professionalim in Practice

CLOSING THE YEAR WITH INTEGRITY

Professionalism and Ethics in Practice: Advocating for Clients with Diminished Capacity

December 15, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In law school, you learned the principle of talem qualem—“take your victim as you find them.” Known as the “eggshell skull” rule, this doctrine holds defendants fully accountable for harm, even when the plaintiff has pre-existing vulnerabilities.

But have you ever considered that, as an attorney, you also “take your clients as you find them”?

The Rules of Professional Conduct make it clear: when representing a client with diminished capacity, you are ethically obligated—so far as reasonably possible—to maintain a standard attorney-client relationship. But what exactly constitutes diminished capacity? What professional and ethical responsibilities come into play when your client’s decision-making ability is impaired?

This engaging seminar will explore the answers to these critical questions. Join our experienced presenter(s) a discussion designed for attorneys seeking to navigate these complex scenarios with confidence, the program offers practical guidance and a deeper understanding of the rules that govern your role. Strengthen your ethical foundation while enhancing your capacity to advocate with professionalism and integrity.

Speaker:

• Rodney Hastings, J.D., State of Louisiana Mental Health Advocacy Service – Child Advocacy Program

Agenda:

10am        Ethical Considerations in Representing Clients with Diminished

                   Capacity

11:30am   Common Challenges and How to Address Them with

                    Professionalism

Objectives:

• Recognize concerns and challenges to ethical and professional representation when representing clients with diminished capacity.
• Identify ways to ethically and professionally address concerns and challenges to representing clients with diminished capacity.  

Earn up to 2 hours of in-person credits (presumptive approval).