Einhorn Barbarito’s Bonnie Frost Authors Ethics and Professional Responsibility Article on Inappropriate Law Firm Behavior

The New Jersey Lawyer published the article “Inappropriate Behavior In Your Law Firm Can Result in Discipline,” authored by Einhorn Barbarito partner Bonnie C. Frost.

In the article, Bonnie notes that while client relationships are often top of mind when thinking about attorney ethical violations, there are also circumstances in which the New Jersey Supreme Court can discipline a lawyer because of their relationship with their own firm.

Bonnie discusses two types of these infractions, including the misappropriation of funds and performing outside work. She shares two instances of attorneys who charged thousands of dollars to their firms for personal use. She notes that “the misappropriation of funds from one’s law firm’s partners is as wrong as misappropriating a client’s money” and “can result in disbarment for associates as well as member of a law partnership.”

Additionally, Bonnie shares two matters in which attorneys performed outside work without their law firm’s knowledge, using firm resources while keeping the client fees. While this may seem benign, she states that partners who take on outside work for themselves could be treated by the ethics system as if they misappropriated law firm funds, resulting in suspension or disbarment.

Please see the full article in the April 2026 edition of New Jersey Lawyer, available here.