Bill O’Reilly Settlement Raises Ethics Issues for Lawyers

A recently released settlement agreement between former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and a woman who accused him of sexual harassment raises ethics issues for the lawyers involved, legal ethics experts told Bloomberg Law.

Andrea Mackris’ 2004 settlement agreement with O’Reilly provides that her lawyer, Benedict P. Morelli and his then-firm, Benedict P. Morelli & Associates, P.C., agreed not to represent other women who might have a similar claim against O’Reilly. Morelli also agreed to advise O’Reilly “regarding sexual harassment matters,” to which Mackris waived any conflict. The agreement says both provisions are “an inducement to O’Reilly and Fox News” ...