Ethics and Professionalism

Discussing current ethics and professionalism issues in the practice of law, including commentary on ethics opinions and guest contributions from local attorneys.

Gene Editing from a Global Perspective: The Ethical Battle

March 14, 2024

The editing of genome cells is used in a number of ways, including treating and preventing hereditary diseases.  A first case look includes a “brave” scientist by the name of He Jiankui of Shenzhen, China’s Southern University of Science and Technology, shocked the world by unveiling his unique experiment where he secretly modified the embryos of nine different couples who had biological fathers with HIV positive genes and mothers with HIV negative genes.  [...]

Academic Theft – Is ChatGPT an Offender?

March 6, 2024

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has a list of activities that are banned, with the risk of termination of a user’s account if the company discovers banned activity.  Within these banned activities, OpenAI specifically prohibits academic dishonesty.  The regulation instructs its users not to misinform, misrepresent, or mislead others. [...]

The Ethics and Implications of Classical Conditioning

January 21, 2024

Behavior modification is a simple concept with complex implications.  Simply put, behavior modification “conditions” the participant to engage or cease a behavior through “learning.”  The premise of changing behavior is easily understood when the participant consents. [...]

The Night the Lights Went Out in SC

March 10, 2022

The name “Murdaugh” has held a position of honor in the South Carolina Lowcountry for over three generations.  In addition to a private law practice, at least one Murdaugh served as the 14th Circuit Solicitor for over 80 years.  The 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office sits between two of the South’s most important cultural centers, Charleston and Savannah—the Office is part of a region steeped in cultural mysticism.  The Solicitor’s Office has long been home to a member of the [...]

Words matter: Overcoming discrimination with dignity in how we discuss mental illness

September 27, 2019

The notion of being “politically correct” has been in the spotlight for a substantial period of time, consistently generating an ever-expanding list of terms that are better excluded from polite conversation.  I’m sure we can all think of words and phrases that were perfectly acceptable, even preferred, during our respective childhoods that have since fallen out of favor, being deemed cruel, unkind, dismissive, or disparaging.  I’m equally sure that we all know someone who, at some [...]

Better than Resilience: Getting Ahead of the Struggle

March 22, 2019

A critical analysis of the tension between psychological resilience and the typical characteristics of law students and lawyers suggests that a more proactive approach is needed to resolve the pervasive mental health problems we are reluctant to admit. [...]

Anxiety and the ADA

September 29, 2017

Anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans every year. It’s time for employers to recognize their potential to make the workplace a more comfortable environment for everyone. [...]

Collusion, conspiracy, and campaigns

August 4, 2017

Top Trump campaign aides met with a Russian lawyer before the election, and despite their assurances that nothing illegal occurred, Congress wants them all to testify. [...]

Black facing matters?

January 23, 2017

A report commissioned by the University of Oregon surrounding a professor’s Halloween costume at a party, has raised concerns for advocates of the First Amendment. [...]
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