The Ethical Dilemma

Jeevan Sivasubramaniam Posted by Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, Managing Director, Editorial, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.



After drafting a will for an elderly client, the attorney announced a fee of $400.

After drafting a will for an elderly client, the attorney announced a fee of $400. The client gave the attorney cash and went on his way.

After the client left, the attorney saw that the client had in fact paid $800, as some of the client's $100 bills had stuck together.

Looking at the $400 overpayment, the inevitable ethical question arose in the attorney's mind:

"Do I tell my partner?"


Moral of the Story: Everyone has a different view of what is ethical.