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Seeking Legal Advice
•Know whom to consult BEFORE you need them
•
•Flag a potential (or actual) conflict with the law
•
•Gather relevant facts
•
•Don’t delay
Speaking Points

Know whom to consult BEFORE you need them. Know who your agency or organization’s lawyer is. Same idea as being prepared in the case of an emergency.

Learn to flag a potential (or an actual) conflict with the law. Or, when you are not certain what the rule is in a particular situation, get advice from a legal professional.

Gathering relevant facts is important. The application of the law is very fact-specific, and the more you remember or are able to report, generally the clearer the situation will be.

Don’t delay. Memories fade and situations escalate. Some situations may wait, but you may not be able to tell whether you are in the middle of one of them.

Generally, keep in mind: you are a professional with duties and responsibilities, and being aware of laws that apply to you is part of that. There is no substitution, however, for legal advice when you are unsure. You are not expected to be an expert on the law.