Ethics & Specialty Credits

Live Online

The Ethics of Saying "No"

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 1 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 1 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 1 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 1 Total
California CLE Approved 1 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 1 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 1 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 1 Total
Florida CLE Approved 1 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 1 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 1 Total
Iowa CLE Approved 1 Total
Idaho CLE Pending 1 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 1 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 1 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 1 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 1 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 1 Total
Maine CLE Approved 1 Total
Minnesota CLE Pending 1 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 1.2 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 1 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 1 Total
Montana CLE Approved 1 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 1 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 1 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 1 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 1.2 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 1 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 1 Total
New York CLE Approved 1 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 1 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 1 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 1 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 1 Total
Rhode Island CLE Upon Request 1 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 1 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 1 Total
Texas CLE Approved 1 Total
Utah CLE Approved 1 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 1 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 1 Total
Washington CLE Approved 1 Total
Wisconsin CLE Pending 1 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 1.2 Total
Wyoming CLE Approved 1 Total
Live Online
1 hour
Michael Progar
With Michael J. Progar from Progar Law Group LLC

Thu, Dec 31, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM

Product ID 102757

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Course Includes
$199

Live Webinar Registration

OnDemand Recording

Course Book Download

OnDemand content will be available within 7 days of event date.

Overview

"No" is a Complete Answer. Learn When - and How - to Say It.

Every attorney knows the feeling: a case that doesn't fit, a client who raises red flags, a colleague who pushes you past a professional boundary. But knowing you should say no and knowing how to say it - ethically, legally, and without consequence - are two different things. Missteps in either direction can expose you to malpractice liability, bar complaints, and serious reputational damage.

This practical one-hour ethics course gives you a clear, actionable framework for saying no at every stage of the attorney-client relationship and across every professional relationship in your practice. From the initial case evaluation to managing pressure from supervising attorneys, staff, and opposing counsel, you'll walk away knowing exactly where your obligations begin and end - and how to protect yourself when you enforce them. Register today!

  • Know when declining a case is not just a right - it's a duty, and how to do it without creating liability.
  • Understand the ethical and procedural requirements for terminating representation without harming your client.
  • Navigate pressure from supervising attorneys using Model Rule 5.2 as your guide.
  • Recognize and respond to improper requests from support staff and non-attorney personnel.
  • Handle overreaching and misconduct from opposing counsel with professionalism and proper documentation.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. When You Should Say No at the Start: Declining Representation the Right Way
    1. Case Evaluation: Conflicts of Interest, Competency, Scope, Mandatory vs. Discretionary Refusals
    2. The Non-Engagement Letter: Why It Matters and What to Include
    3. How a Declined Matter Can Turn Into a Malpractice Claim
  2. Saying No to Current Clients: Managing Requests, Scope, and Pressure
    1. Client Requests That Cross Ethical Lines
    2. Scope Creep and Unauthorized Directions
    3. Communicating Limits in Writing: Protecting Yourself
  3. Getting Out Ethically: Terminating Representation Without Burning Bridges
    1. Mandatory vs. Permissive Withdrawal
    2. Managing and Documenting the Exit: Client Notification, File Return, Fee Refund
    3. Court Approval Situations: What to Do When the Judge Says No
  4. Saying No Inside Your Own Office: Navigating Pressure From Supervisors and Staff
    1. Model Rule 5.2: When You Must Push Back on the Supervisor Attorney's Instruction
    2. The "Just Following Orders" Problem: Why It Won't Protect You
    3. Non-Attorney Employees and Model Rule 5.3: Who Is Responsible When Support Staff Overreach?
  5. Saying No Across the Table: Handling Opposing Counsel Misconduct
    1. Recognizing Overreaching, Harassment, and Improper Ex Parte Contact
    2. When "No" Must Be Followed by a Bar Complaint (Model Rule 8.3)
    3. Documentation and Professionalism in Adversarial Situations

Can't Attend Live?

Get the OnDemand Instead

Watch the recording of this event on your own schedule. We'll notify you when its ready.

Related Topics

Product ID 102757

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 1 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 1 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 1 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 1 Total
California CLE Approved 1 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 1 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 1 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 1 Total
Florida CLE Approved 1 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 1 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 1 Total
Iowa CLE Approved 1 Total
Idaho CLE Pending 1 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 1 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 1 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 1 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 1 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 1 Total
Maine CLE Approved 1 Total
Minnesota CLE Pending 1 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 1.2 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 1 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 1 Total
Montana CLE Approved 1 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 1 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 1 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 1 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 1.2 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 1 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 1 Total
New York CLE Approved 1 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 1 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 1 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 1 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 1 Total
Rhode Island CLE Upon Request 1 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 1 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 1 Total
Texas CLE Approved 1 Total
Utah CLE Approved 1 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 1 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 1 Total
Washington CLE Approved 1 Total
Wisconsin CLE Pending 1 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 1.2 Total
Wyoming CLE Approved 1 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. The Ethics of Saying "No"

    1. When You Should Say No at the Start: Declining Representation the Right Way
      1. Case Evaluation: Conflicts of Interest, Competency, Scope, Mandatory vs. Discretionary Refusals
      2. The Non-Engagement Letter: Why It Matters and What to Include
      3. How a Declined Matter Can Turn Into a Malpractice Claim
    2. Saying No to Current Clients: Managing Requests, Scope, and Pressure
      1. Client Requests That Cross Ethical Lines
      2. Scope Creep and Unauthorized Directions
      3. Communicating Limits in Writing: Protecting Yourself
    3. Getting Out Ethically: Terminating Representation Without Burning Bridges
      1. Mandatory vs. Permissive Withdrawal
      2. Managing and Documenting the Exit: Client Notification, File Return, Fee Refund
      3. Court Approval Situations: What to Do When the Judge Says No
    4. Saying No Inside Your Own Office: Navigating Pressure From Supervisors and Staff
      1. Model Rule 5.2: When You Must Push Back on the Supervisor Attorney's Instruction
      2. The "Just Following Orders" Problem: Why It Won't Protect You
      3. Non-Attorney Employees and Model Rule 5.3: Who Is Responsible When Support Staff Overreach?
    5. Saying No Across the Table: Handling Opposing Counsel Misconduct
      1. Recognizing Overreaching, Harassment, and Improper Ex Parte Contact
      2. When "No" Must Be Followed by a Bar Complaint (Model Rule 8.3)
      3. Documentation and Professionalism in Adversarial Situations

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for attorneys. Paralegals and legal support staff who regularly interact with clients, supervising attorneys, or opposing counsel will also benefit from this course. Associates, new admittees, and attorneys in supervisory roles are particularly encouraged to attend.

Speakers

Michael J Progar
Michael J.
Progar
Progar Law Group LLC
Speaker bio
Michael J Progar

Michael J. Progar

Progar Law Group LLC
Michael Progar

is a partner and founding member of Progar Law Group LLC, with more than 40 years of experience in representing the interests of insurance companies, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. As lead counsel, he has tried more than 50 jury trials to verdict. Mr. Progar practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, employment law and insurance coverage. He is admitted to practice in the states of Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Progar earned his B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. degree from DePaul University College of Law.

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