I wrote a story about actual things and I named names and it hurt people. I feel bad about it. I know this sounds noble-like but it is not bull-shit. My sister asked me “Why did you use Jack’s name?” I said “Listen, he said I could. I told my story straight and true.” I can hear you telling me I’m all wrong. Maybe I am. I think you will agree there are defensible interpretations to any violations of ethics and good taste.
So…I thought about it a little and I am taking it down. I’m making up names from now on. I feel it is wrong to blab my client’s names. I’m concerned that my clients don’t want the whole world to know they had a DUI. Even though I have permission to seek publicity using their names, I’m not going to do that. If you ask me for some of my representative clients, I’ll recommend you to Avvo, a Lawyer Directory which is an ethically approved client reference source. Avvo is a website that profiles and rates lawyers. One of their goals is to give “open access to information about lawyers, coupled with guidance on how to use that information.”
I am ethical. I am committed to high ethical standards. My “Standard Ethics Letter” is available to you upon request. Clients bring me their darkest secrets. They tell me things they can’t tell their spouse. They admit embarrassing and even heinous acts. They admit to doing what they shouldn’t have done. They trust me not to tell their secrets. I am honored to have their trust and confidence. I’ll remember this moment. I’m learning.
