using clients real name when describing a case? Forum

[EarlofSandwich]

I worked at A Family Law Firm and I wanted to talk about my work on some of the cases. Is it acceptable to use actual clients' names and whatnot? I'm not planning on going too much in detail of course, but I feel my narrative might seem too vague if I don't talk about a particular case or two.

[RCSOB657]

What's wrong with generic John/Mary names?

[A. Nony Mouse]

Lawyers owe their clients confidentiality, and are not supposed to identify their clients (unless the client consents, of course). Make up names and leave out identifying details that would, say, allow the reader to google and figure out who the clients were.

[Pneumonia]

Any adcom reading it will assume you exercised the discretion to change the names, so why not go ahead and do so?

[mike0331]

In one of my supplements I talked about a co-worker with him I had an issue, my father (an attorney) proof read it and highly recommended I change his name and mention it in parenthesis. With a client... you absolutely should.

Mike

[cmscott12]

I had a similar situation. I changed the name and made a footnote.