Patrick Hanes to Serve on Panel at ABA 2026 White Collar Crime Institute

Patrick Hanes will speak on a panel titled, “Ethical Realities: Getting In, Staying In and Getting Out,” at the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section 2026 White Collar Crime Institute. 

The session will examine recent ABA decisions addressing attorney withdrawal, client misstatements, and proactive strategies for protecting counsel in white collar matters, with a focus on Model Rule 1.16, court approval requirements, and confidentiality obligations.

Ethical Realities: Getting In, Staying In and Getting Out 

• Identify mandatory and permissive grounds for withdrawal: Distinguish between required and discretionary withdrawal under Model Rule 1.16, with particular attention to white collar matters involving client misconduct, false statements, obstruction concerns, or breakdowns in the attorney-client relationship.
• Navigate court approval and Rule 1.16(c) constraints:  Analyze the ethical tension between a lawyer’s duty to comply with court orders and the obligation to protect client confidentiality when seeking leave to withdraw in criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings.
• Apply confidentiality and candor obligations in withdrawal motions
• Manage withdrawal in the context of ongoing investigations or parallel proceedings 

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