Ethical Dilemmas of the Neutral
Judy Meyer
Thousands of lawyers now serve as full or part-time neutrals. As advocates, the lawyer’s loyalty is clear and undivided: you are totally loyal to your client’s cause to which you unwaveringly adhere. You are the zealous advocate. Doing a 180°, when serving as a neutral, your neutrality must be sacrosanct and unquestionable. Forget advocacy or zealous client representation. You have loyalties to no party; you are zealous solely about the process. But here’s the rub: the very fact of your being hired and paid by the lawyers, and their clients who appear before you, makes you suspect.
