When Does a Demand Letter Cross the Line?
After obtaining a $20.7 million class-action verdict from Kimberly-Clark[i] and making over a hundred appearances on various television talk shows[ii], attorney Michael Avenatti’s once-rising star plummeted. While facing allegations of domestic violence and charges for tax evasion, wire fraud, and identity theft, Avenatti decided to leverage “the power of his platform” to extort Nike by demanding money in exchange for silence on the company’s allegedly illegal practices.[iii] This scheme eventually landed Avenatti in jail for 30 months. Read More +
Law Lessons from Shoeless Joe’s Last Ballgame
Law Lessons from Shoeless Joe’s Last Ballgame Read More +
Practice Points with Mark Scruggs: The Trustee’s Duty of Neutrality
Do you ever serve as trustee of a client’s trust? Read More +
Practice Points with Mark Scruggs: What Should I Tell My Client about Social Media?
Social media, clients and ethics Read More +
Practice points with Mark Scruggs: Get It Outta There!
Don’t let affirmative defenses that you deem meritless remain in the Answer and a part of the case. Read More +
How Prospective Client Consultations Could Impact You — ABA Formal Opinion 492 Explained
Formal Opinion 492 - Read More +
The Road Less Traveled — North Carolina Splits from Other Jurisdictions on Fee-Splitting Issue
I am sure many of you are aware of Avvo’s online legal directory. However, you may not know that Avvo, as well as a handful of other platforms, is now offering fixed fee limited scope legal services online. How do these online legal service platforms work? In the case of Avvo Legal Services, Avvo determi… Read More +
Lawyers Mutual Interview: Lisa Sheppard, Executive Director of the Chief Justice Commission on Professionalism
Lisa Sheppard has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism (CJCP). Sheppard succeeded Melvin F. Wright Jr., who retired from the position after 19 years. Sheppard graduated cum laude from Duke University in 1983 and received her juris doctor (J.D.)… Read More +
Just Say No
Ethical considerations regarding "Bring Your Own Device" policies. Read More +
Third-Party Litigation Financing and Ethical Traps for the Unwary Lawyer
Dangers associated with third-party financing of litigation cases. Read More +
The Ethics of Cloud Computing and Software as a Service
Tips for using cloud services ethically Read More +
State Bar Adopts Ethics Opinion Impacting Email Communications
New opinion addresses "Reply All" Read More +
Lawyers Beware: Serving as an Attorney “Pay Master” has Money Laundering Risks
The risks and obligations associated with serving as an attorney "Pay Master" Read More +
A “Behind the Scenes” View of the State Bar Ethics Committee
Mark Scruggs discusses his view of ethics opinions after his appointment to the Ethics Committee Read More +
Five Rules for Discovery of Electronically Stored Information (“ESI”)
Some helpful rules for managing electronically ESI Read More +
Doing Business With a Client Creates a Conflict of Interest
The dangers of doing business with a client and ethical duties under Rule 1.8 Read More +
Is This For Real? – Email Scams and Client Confidentiality
Protecting client confidentiality while investigating suspicious emails Read More +
The Verdict On Listing Case Results On Your Website
How to do it: NC Bar Opinion 2009 FEO 16 Read More +
Emerging Ethics
Rulings on websites, web videos and blogs Read More +
