Patty P. is a paralegal in law firm specializing in criminal defense.  A client, a young man in his early 20s, comes to the office because he is facing criminal charges related to sexual assault.  He is a student-athlete at the local college and is well-known in the community as a star football player and the case is getting a lot of publicity.   It is a very hot day and the air conditioning is not working in Patty P's building.  They have an office suite in a building with other professional offices such as an account and an architect and all the offices open up to a central hallway/reception area that has a coffee machine that people are usually standing around.  Patty opens all the doors and windows in the office and set up a few fans in an attempt to cool the office down.  Patty can hear the attorney and the client discussing the case through the open doors.  The client is getting upset and shouting loudly "I didn't do it".  

Later on that night, Patty goes home and posts the following message on Facebook:

OMG, Y'ALL, football players in this town get around.  They are scoring touchdowns on and off the field, if you know what I mean. The things I hear at work would make your ears burn!  If you don't know what I am talking about, maybe read the Springville Times, page 6 from Monday's paper. 

Analyze the ethical issues involved not only in the paralegal's social media post, but also in the information described above.  What ethical issues are involved?  What do the Rules of Professional Conduct say about those issues (please cite to the Rules of Professional Conduct)?  What should Patty or the paralegal done differently? How did her conduct comply or not comply with her ethical obligations?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Ethical Issues in Patty Ps Situation Pattys actions raise several ethical concerns both in her handling of the situation at the office and her social ... View the full answer