This commentary provides communication practitioners with an overview of legal and ethical issues facing individuals who market themselves as professional communication consultants. We introduce the tort of negligence, discuss its impact on professionals, review various ethical principles underlying the law, and outline court-supported practices that professional consultants might use to help protect their clients and themselves. Throughout this discussion, we argue that an understanding of legal principles and practices can enhance consultant-client relationships. This in turn increases the probability of successful consulting engagements.
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