Client asked me to "creatively interpret" a tariff clause to support a refund claim I don't think is actually valid. He's paying me on contingency so if I don't claim it, neither of us gets paid on that line item. Instinct says walk away from that claim. Looking for sanity check.
Client wants me to "creatively interpret" a tariff clause
Walk away from the claim, not the client. Explain clearly that filing a claim you don't believe is valid puts both your professional reputation and the client's relationship with the utility at risk. A good client will respect the line. A bad client will show you who they are — and you save yourself from getting dragged into something that burns your reputation.
This is the exact scenario the CUBA ethics module was written for. If the claim goes south, your license and your reputation are the collateral, not the client's. Never bend on a claim you can't defend in writing.