I don't believe "ethical lapses" are necessarily illegal per se, just unethical, and in this instance deeply damaging to the clients credibility. I'm curious as to whether the Lawyers board of professional responsibility would even concern themselves with such an incident?
On the topic of illegality, if a prospective employer (like the ALJ in my hearing did)were to turn down your application (for a job) by stating your progression through the work comp system made you untrustworthy, and had damaged your credibility, well they would be guilty of a crime under the retaliation statutes of workers compensation law!
Apparently SSA ALJs are immune to such trivialities...