The new risks facing law firms go well beyond the problem of the so-called “rogue partner” arguably evidenced in these corporate scandals. In an effort to address the issues raised by Enron-type situations, Congress last year passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Section 307 of the act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to prescribe minimum standards of professional conduct for lawyers representing public companies. The SEC has now adopted such standards, imposing new obligations that effectively make lawyers responsible – in at least some circumstances – for the character and conduct of their clients. the new risks facing law firms go well beyond the problem of the so-called “rogue partner” arguably evidenced in these corporate scandals. In an effort to address the issues raised by Enron-type situations, Congress last year passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Section 307 of the act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to prescribe minimum standards of professional conduct for lawyers representing public companies. The SEC has now adopted such standards, imposing new obligations that effectively make lawyers responsible – in at least some circumstances – for the character and conduct of their clients. Read More
