What if the lawyer breaks the law?

In my quiet evenings, when the world outside falls into its usual rhythm, I find immense joy in reading novels. Fiction has always been my window into reality — because sometimes, truth hides better inside stories.

Among the authors who have captured my imagination, Paulo Coelho’s spiritual depth and Haruki Murakami’s surreal worlds always fascinate me. Yet, when it comes to understanding the intricate games of justice, deception, and morality, no one does it better than John Grisham.

Grisham’s novels are not merely courtroom thrillers — they are moral investigations. Being a lawyer himself, he understands both the dignity and the danger of the legal profession. His stories reveal how the law, designed to protect, can also be twisted to exploit. “The Firm”, perhaps his most celebrated novel, is a chilling portrayal of how a young lawyer gets trapped in a prestigious firm that hides layers of corruption and criminality beneath its polished surface. The story mirrors a question that society often avoids: What happens when those who are meant to defend justice become the very architects of injustice?

This theme resonates deeply with the realities we sometimes encounter in life. The law gives lawyers immense power — the power of argument, interpretation, and influence. But when this power meets moral weakness, the results can be disastrous.

I recently saw such a scenario unfold close to home. A friend of mine rented out his property to a young trainee lawyer. Initially, everything seemed fine. Then, delays in rent payments began — first with excuses, later with arrogance. When confronted, the tenant used his half-baked knowledge of the law as a weapon, quoting sections, clauses, and legal threats to intimidate the landlord. Ironically, the very person studying the law was the one breaking it.

It made me wonder: What do we do when the lawyer himself becomes the lawbreaker?

This thought became even stronger when I came across a case wrote by Gloria A. Osei-Anokye, CFE, CPA, CGMA in Fraud Magazine, published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), on November 3, 2025, titled “When Fraud Fighters Commit Fraud.”

The ACFE case “When Fraud Fighters Commit Fraud” reveals how even trusted investigators, like former FBI agent William Roy Stone who exploited his authority to defraud a woman of $700,000, prove that no one is above temptation — reminding us that ethical failure can arise even among those sworn to prevent it, and that “trust but verify” must remain the golden rule in every fraud examination.

The parallel between the fraudulent auditor and the unethical lawyer is clear. Both know the system better than the average person, and both can twist it to their advantage. The difference lies only in their field — one hides behind numbers, the other behind words. Yet, in both cases, society pays the price.

So, how should one deal with such situations? What precautions can ordinary citizens take when confronting lawyers who misuse their knowledge of the law?

First, documentation is power. Keep every piece of evidence — written communication, payment receipts, tenancy agreements, or even text messages. A lawyer who thrives on manipulation will crumble when faced with solid proof.

Second, never argue law with a manipulative lawyer. Let professionals handle it. Engage a reputable advocate — preferably one recommended by the local bar association or a trusted source.

Lawyers who specialise in real estate or tenancy disputes, for instance, know the loopholes and the countermeasures better than anyone else.

Third, understand your rights. Many citizens feel powerless simply because they do not know what the law actually says. In the case of my friend, a simple understanding of the landlord-tenant law would have been enough to counter the trainee’s intimidation.

Fourth, file a complaint through the proper channel. Every country has a regulatory body or bar council that disciplines lawyers for unethical conduct. If a lawyer breaks the law, he is subject not only to legal action but also to professional suspension or disbarment. The system may be slow, but it works when pursued correctly and persistently.

Finally, ethics must return to the heart of the legal profession. Just as the ACFE emphasises “tone at the top” for corporations — where leaders must model ethical behavior — law firms and legal institutions must reinforce ethics through education and culture. Law schools should teach integrity as a mandatory subject, not as an optional virtue.

Grisham’s stories remind us that the difference between justice and corruption is often just one person’s decision away. The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, and The Partner all portray characters who face this moral crossroads. Some surrender to greed; others fight back, risking everything for what is right. The choice, Grisham suggests, defines not just the lawyer, but the society that tolerates him.

The law, in its essence, is a promise — a promise that truth will prevail over deceit. But like any promise, it depends on the honesty of those who keep it. Whether in novels or in real life, when lawyers break the law, they do not merely betray their clients — they betray justice itself.