Ethics

Here’s a cautionary tale for PI lawyers: it’s a terrible idea – not to mention a crime – to stage motor vehicle accidents in order to file phony insurance claims. Just ask the New Orleans attorney who has been indicted on federal charges of Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud. He… Read More +

Do you ever serve as trustee of a client’s trust? Read More +

Lawyer’s Conduct at Deposition Leads To Ethics Complaint Here’s a lesson from Risk Management 101: being polite and professional isn’t just a nice idea – it might keep you from getting reported to the bar.  A corollary: avoid the urge to threaten to have opposing counsel’s… Read More +

Social media, clients and ethics Read More +

Here’s a Risk Management 101 lesson: don’t lie that you’re seriously ill in order to get a discovery deadline extended. It could lead to a suspension of your law license. That’s the possible penalty an Illinois lawyer is facing after he made false statements to opposing counsel about… Read More +

Don’t let affirmative defenses that you deem meritless remain in the Answer and a part of the case.  Read More +

  LegalZoom has been sued in California for the unauthorized practice of law by preparing and filing trademark applications. The lawsuit was filed by a California patent attorney who says he wants to create an “equal playing field.” The complaint names as defendants LegalZoom, its co-founders… Read More +

Your Professional Responsibilities in a Pandemic Even though the pandemic has completely disrupted the practice of law, the ethical obligations you owe your clients – including the duty to maintain communication and handle their cases promptly – remain the same. In fact, the ethics rules were wr… Read More +

A poodle in Seattle named Lucy was honored as a Lawyer of Distinction in the field of personal injury law after applying for the award and paying a membership fee. When she applied for the honor in 2017, Lucy claimed to hold a “Juris Dogtor” degree and belong to the King County Bark Association. … Read More +

ABA FEO 492 You might want to rethink how you handle consultations with prospective clients, in light of a new ABA ethics opinion. Formal Opinion 492, released in June by the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, provides guidance on Rule 1.18, Duties to Prospective Clien… Read More +

Formal Opinion 492 -  Read More +

2019 State Bar FEO 7 It’s ethically permissible to agree to a Stipulated Protective Order that contains an “Attorney’s Eyes Only” clause preventing you from disclosing designated parts of the material from anyone else. But you should do so with caution, and you should make sure your … Read More +

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 +

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 +

Ethical considerations regarding "Bring Your Own Device" policies. Read More +