What responsibility does a subordinate lawyer have concerning the Rules of Professional Conduct?

A subordinate lawyer has a fundamental responsibility to adhere to the Rules of Professional Conduct, regardless of whether they are acting under the direction or supervision of a more senior attorney. This principle emphasizes that all attorneys, regardless of their rank or position within a firm, are individually accountable for their actions and ethical obligations.

While it may be true that subordinate lawyers take instructions from their supervisors, this does not exempt them from their duty to uphold ethical standards. Even when following directions, they must ensure that these instructions align with their professional obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct. If a supervisor directs a subordinate to engage in conduct that violates these rules, the subordinate may face disciplinary action for complying with those directives without questioning their legality or ethicality.

This understanding reinforces the concept that every lawyer is ultimately responsible for their own compliance with the ethical guidelines that govern their profession, thereby protecting the integrity of the legal profession as a whole.