April 2, 1998 Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens (615) 322-2706 annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu

Vanderbilt law professor explores legal ethics

in Paula Jones-type case

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Law firms approached about a possible appeal by Paula Jones or a case similar to hers should consider a wide array of ethical issues, some never before explored in connection with the institution of the presidency, according to Vanderbilt University Law Professor Harold Levinson.

Levinson, whose expertise includes legal ethics, is researching an article about the potential legal and social consequences when a law firm is asked to represent a client in a Paula Jones-type case involving sexual harassment by the president.

Levinson says there needs to be an extensive discussion between the attorney and the client to learn exactly what she or he hopes to gain. Is the client seeking only a financial settlement or notoriety, book contract, and embarrassment of the president? Second, the attorney must consider the effect of the lawsuit on society. Is there a serious risk that the president will be impeached or make poor policy decisions under the strain of a lawsuit?

Another issue to consider is whether all the attorneys in the firm are comfortable with handling the lawsuit. For example, does the client have a political agenda with backing from a highly partisan organization?

Levinson says that each side won something and lost something in U.S. District Court Judge Susan Webber Wright's decision throwing out the case.

President Clinton won in the sense that he did not have to go on trial; however, his reputation has not been cleared, Levinson says. He also points out that nothing in the decision said that Paula Jones was a liar.

If you would like to interview Levinson, he can be reached at (615) 322-2540 (office) or (615) 356-0330 (home).

-VU-

Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately 5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute, a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range of graduate and professional degrees.

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