Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Oct. 13, 2026
The discipline of declining: Why turning down work can protect lawyers and their clients
For lawyers accustomed to saying "yes," knowing when to decline a matter can be an important professional skill, particularly when ethics, competence or well-being are at stake.
Many lawyers are career-driven and competitive by nature. In a crowded legal market, clients expect excellent work and there is always someone ready to provide it. The urge to say "yes" to every new engagement, however, can wear down the lawyer saying it when left unchecked. Lawyers who never say no or who fail to delegate tend to suffer stress and related health problems at notable rates.
Learning to say "no" does not mean the lawyer is weak or lacks ambition. ...
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