Ethical Issues Arising from Political and Regulatory Procedures

Whether at the ballot box or before City Council, land use processes are increasingly subject to the divisive political environment that is more typical of state or federal policy-making. What is the role of the private sector lawyer in engaging in the political process on behalf of a client? What is the role of a public sector lawyer in advising elected decision-makers? And how should a lawyer handle legislative policy matters in which existing clients take differing positions? In this session, lawyers in the public and private sector will discuss and parse the ethical rules that govern common situations that raise complicated ethical questions.