Productively handling ethical challenges and client complaints

In this presentation, Tony Sycamore will talk about how ethics questions and complaints can be dealt with in a manner that provides an opportunity for parties to move forward restoratively and find a resolution, rather than relying on formal complaints processes.  The focus is on moving forward quickly and avoiding prolonged or distracting processes to the advantage of both complainant and practitioner.

Selene Mize will discuss interesting psychology research on the factors that help determine how lawyers (and others) will behave when faced with ethical challenges.  This provides practical tips for making the best ethical decisions.

Tony Sycamore is the Director of Van Aart Sycamore Lawyers, a Dunedin-based boutique commercial law firm. Tony has now been practising 30 years and has extensive experience in commercial law. Through his years of practice, Tony has developed a strong interest in legal ethics and has served for nine years on the Otago Standards Committee.  

Selene Mize is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Otago.  She has been teaching Legal Ethics for over twenty years and has many publications in this area.  Selene served on the Law Society’s steering committee for the recently completed Independent Review.