Navigating Legal Ethics and Morals Law School Doesn’t Teach | They Don't Teach You That In Law School

This week, we're talking about one of the toughest real-life dilemmas facing new lawyers—something law school rarely prepares you for: navigating client wishes versus ethical boundaries.

We take you behind the scenes of everyday law practice. From handling clients who want to take highly risky (sometimes, downright hopeless) legal steps to the tough decisions attorneys must make about which fights to pick… it’s an eye-opening look at the messy, often unglamorous side of legal work.

Key Discussion Highlights:

• What happens when a client wants to withdraw a guilty plea—even if it’s a terrible idea? Steve and Troy talk through how lawyers handle these requests, why it’s rarely as straightforward as clients hope, and what the law actually allows.
• Ethical boundaries vs. making a living: How do attorneys decide whether to take on a case they believe is a lost cause? Hear about the fine line between providing hope, doing your ethical duty, and avoiding the trap of just “taking the money.”
• Lessons law school skips: Steve reflects on why ethics in real life is far more complex than textbook scenarios, and shares how he balances legal rules, his conscience, and his clients’ desperation for help.
• Should lawyers ever take futile cases just because a client insists—especially if someone else will? The discussion gets honest (and a little bit philosophical) about client autonomy, justice, and where a lawyer should draw the line.

Listener Challenge:

Have you faced a similar dilemma—in law or another field? Would you “fix the stairs” if the client is willing to pay, even if it’s not in their best interest? We want to know!

Reply to this email or leave your thoughts via our socials or at lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

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