2025 What Prince's first album teaches about attorney ethics

Before he was the legendary icon, Prince was a young artist fighting for control, navigating the pressures of the industry, and defining his identity—just like attorneys do in the legal profession. His debut album, Prince (1979), isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s a blueprint for understanding attorney ethics. From loyalty and competence to the fine line between advocacy and professionalism, Stuart Teicher, Esq., the CLE Performer, deciphers what Prince’s early work teaches about the rules. This program blends pop culture and legal ethics to show that, much like Prince’s unshakable vision, the fundamentals of professional responsibility never change.

Learning objectives:

• Examine Rule 1.1 (Competence) and Rule 1.3 (Diligence) through the lens of Prince’s relentless drive, understanding how attorneys must balance hard work with ethical boundaries.
• Analyze Rule 3.3 (Candor to the Tribunal) and Rule 4.1 (Truthfulness in Statements) in advocacy, comparing Prince’s fight for artistic integrity to an attorney’s obligation to remain truthful while representing clients.
• Evaluate Rule 1.7 (Conflicts of Interest) and the ethical responsibilities of loyalty, drawing parallels between Prince’s early contractual struggles and how attorneys must navigate competing professional interests.

Speaker: Stuart Teicher, The CLE Performer

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.