The topic of this article focuses on the battles school counselors face when the law and ethical standards conflict. School counselors face a variety of legal and ethical issues, and coming to a clear decision isn't always easy. School counselors must work with large numbers of students, parents and administrators while adhering to codes of ethics, state laws and school board guidelines. This topic is of great relevance to me as I enter the school counseling profession. It is also a significant topic for me because life-changing decisions are made every day regarding legal and ethical issues. Research on this topic has shed light on the difficulty for school counselors to meet both legal and ethical requirements. The main reason for this is that laws and codes of ethics can sometimes provide different and contradictory messages regarding the same topic. This can lead to legal consequences, even if you follow ethical standards, as we will see in the illustrative case of Woodlock v. Orange Ulster BOCES (2006/2008). In the case Woodlock v. Orange, the school counselor, known as NW, was advocating for systemic change on behalf of his special education students. This was largely within the code of ethics. NW repeatedly expressed her concerns to the administrative intern and principal. His primary concern was the lack of certified gym and art instructors, which violated state special education mandates and children's IEPs. He raised other security concerns with the administration with little to no response. He began documenting all of his interactions with the administration, until he received a written reprimand from the principal. This reprimand stated that NW was “taking responsibility for…… middle of paper……l Councillors. Vocational School Counseling, 195-202. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from www.schoolcounselor.orgKress, Victoria, Drouhard, Nicole. (2006). Students who self-harm: Ethical and legal considerations of the school counselor. Vocational School Counseling, 203-208. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from www.schoolcounselor.orgMoyer, M., & Sullivan, J. (2008). Student risk-taking behaviors: When do school counselors violate confidentiality?. Professional School Counseling, 11(4), 236-245. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from http://dx.doi.org/10.5330/PSC.n.2010-11.236Stone, C. B., & Zirkel, P. A. (2010). Protection of school counselors: when law and ethics can clash. Professional School Counseling, 13(4), 244-247. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from http://dx.doi.org/10.5330/PSC.n.2010-13.244Devoe, Andrea. Personal interview. April 8, 2014. Weaver Middle School, Merced Ca. 209-723-2174