I have a classmate who is doing something that I believe reflects an unprofessional image. Should I talk to my classmate about this?
The answer:
Really, it depends on your classmate’s activity. Is it something that will seriously jeopardize your classmate’s chances of getting a job, or perhaps even being admitted to the practice of law? (Some examples include criminal conduct, abuse of the court process, academic dishonesty, substance addiction, and false statements. You can find a full state-by-state list of character and fitness determinations with more information on the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Web site at http://www.ncbex.org/fileadmin/mediafiles/downloads/Comp_Guide/CompGuide_2010.pdf.)
If the conduct could be construed as something that may jeopardize your classmate’s career before it even starts, you should say something. Avoid a confrontational tone and turn to the facts to back you up: For example, explain that you found some information about your jurisdiction’s character and fitness requirements that you thought was important to share. Keep in mind that your law school’s honor code may also require you to report certain types of criminal or unethical conduct to administration once you discover that another student is engaging in it. (This carries over into your practice as a young lawyer, where you’ll be required to report misconduct by other lawyers to your state bar’s disciplinary board.)
There are, on the other hand, some types of conduct which may not be unethical but may still be considered unprofessional—such as posting questionable items online. It’s a no-brainer that employers frown upon unprofessional conduct and are increasingly checking on applicants’ conduct before hiring. If you’re familiar enough with your classmate to feel comfortable approaching him or her, then share your concerns. Explain that you bring the issue up as friendly advice from one colleague to another, and that you’d hope your classmate would do the same for you if the roles were reversed.
Bear in mind that, of course, that there are some instances in which you and your classmate could simply not share what is or isn’t considered “professional.” Attire, resume format, professional affiliations are just some examples.
