15 Ethics 15 Ethics

15.5 * Hypos (Ethics) Lost * 15.5 * Hypos (Ethics) Lost *

First, you have a client, Sayid, who is seeking asylum. He gives you a picture of him at a rally that looks photoshopped.

  • What, if anything, do you say to Sayid? 
  • Do you submit the photo to USCIS? 
  • Do you continue representing Sayid? 
  • Do you have to report Sayid? Can you report him? Would you report him? 
  • What do the rules say about all of these options? 

Second, you have a client, Hugo, who you are helping to fill out a visa application. He tells you that he plans to work in violation of the visa, if accepted. 

  • Do you help Hugo fill out the visa application? 
  • Do you continue representing Hugo?
  • What assurances from Hugo are sufficient for you to represent him? 
  • Do you have to report Hugo? Can you report him? Would you report him? 
  • What do the rules say? 

Third, your client, Jin-Soo, who is an asylum seeker in removal proceedings, tells you that he murdered someone in his home country. It was someone who was threatening his daughter's life, so he did it out of protection for her. He filed the asylum application before retaining you. He did not disclose this information to you when you agreed to represent him. You are representing him for his individual merits hearing.

  • Does it matter that he already filed it? 
  • Can you continue representing him? If the answer is no, why you can defend someone who tells you that they have committed a crime in the criminal law context?
  • Are you required to report him to the court or to ICE? Can you? Would you? 
  • If you drop the case and another immigration attorney takes the case, do you have to tell them? Can you tell them? Would you tell them?
  • What do the rules say?