Still, handling dozens of calls a day can make it at times difficult to get through. Tarbert said the best times to call are during lunchtime and before a holiday. There is no such thing as a typical call, she said. Just getting the facts out in some cases can take a while. Our most frequently asked question concerns conflicts of interest.
All calls are confidential except for two instances.
If an inquiring lawyer makes erroneous public statements about a call, ethics staff can reveal information to correct the record. Or if a lawyer uses information from a call to defend a grievance complaint, the information can be released to aid in that process. Most callers, Tarbert said, are satisfied with a verbal opinion, but some request written opinions. She expects about 1,000 written requests, most of which are separate inquiries from the phone calls. If a caller is unhappy with the advice given in a call, he or she must request a written opinion, which can then be appealed to the Professional Ethics Committee.