I’m not asking about the ethics of lying, or whether lawyers may be justified in lying. That is beside the point. I am just asking: hypothetically, would it be possible for a lawyer to have a successful career while never uttering so much as a white lie?
Like, let’s say the lawyer had some sort of spell cast on them, so they could never lie. If someone were to ask them a question, they’d either need to find a way to avoid answering or answer honestly. Would it be possible for a lawyer in such circumstances to still go on and have a successful career?
But if there is no intention to deceive (and I would add no obligation to reveal that information,) then there’s no lie.
You just don’t provide information.
If my mom asks “where were you?” And I refuse to answer, I’m not lying, I’m just not answering, right?