What to Do When a Colleague Acts UnethicallyIf your co-worker acted unethically, there are ways to fix it.

Q: One of my law partners had an intern pretend to be him and take an ethics course the partner needed to satisfy his continuing legal education requirement. When I learned about it, I challenged his actions. He pushed back, claiming he'd created a win-win situation: The intern benefited by taking the course, and the company benefited by his signing a new client while the intern stood in for him. He accused me of making a big deal over nothing. Am I?

A:This problem is bigger than lying; it underscores what happens when arrogance takes over a leader's thought process. It can be hard to argue with anyone who has rationalized his self-interest and unethical behavior into a benefit to others. Challenge him on something he has decided is the right way to act, and he's sure to throw up a wall of righteous indignation.