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On those rare occasions when you might be able to leave the office and attend a networking event or maybe just to meet some friends, you might not be thinking of your ethical obligations but maybe you should. Consider the following scenario. The answer and explanation can be found at the bottom. One of
Rule 1.1 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (Competence) states that in order to maintain requisite skill and knowledge, lawyers should “keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology…” Many states are adopting this language, which resulted
As a law student, you have to pass your jurisdiction's character and fitness application if you want to sit for the bar. Students typically complete this extensive background check sometime during law school or when they apply to take the bar. Get that? You'll just have to wait to find out
One of the first things law students are taught is that, as lawyers, they will be expected to “zealously represent” their clients. But what exactly does this mean? Unfortunately, the imagery conjured by this turn of phrase only serves to perpetuate the pernicious notion—held by many non-lawyers—that lawyers will do anything
In November of 2015, the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued Formal Opinion 472, Communication with Person Receiving Limited-Scope Legal Services. In this opinion, the Committee discussed various communication issues as they relate both to a lawyer who provides limited scope representation to a client under Model
Lawyers in solo practice and those starting new firms are sometimes advised to have a logo created to brand their law practice and thus differentiate it from the other firms. See, Do-It-Yourself Marketing: Tips for Solo and Small Firm Lawyers published by the ABA Section of Law Practice Management
Lawyers like to talk about the law and often do so in social settings, in casual encounters with friends and acquaintances and on social media. It is human nature to chime in when you know something relevant to a discussion. However, in order to avoid the inadvertent creation of a
Many legal ethicists and legal malpractice lawyers agree: the ideal response to a problem client is to just say no, right at the outset. This is optimal but difficult.
Although the Rules of Professional Conduct permit lawyers to represent their clients zealously, there are limits as to what is deemed to be acceptable.
You have a small immigration practice in Chicago, a city known for a rich diversity of neighborhoods that are home to ethnicities from all over the world. Your office is situated in an area that straddles several of these neighborhoods, and your clientele consists of people from Polish, Hispanic and Korean
You are at the helm of the Starship Enterprise, and are boldly going where no one has gone before. Suddenly on the viewscreen a shining and twirling object that you can’t quite make out appears and is approaching the ship at warp speed. You only have seconds to decide your next
It goes without saying, but also bears repeating - that lawyers should be careful to avoid conduct that has the potential to mislead or deceive others when using social media as it relates to their law practice. Over the past few years, ETHICSearch research lawyers have published several Eye on Ethics
By Erin E. Rhinehart ERIN E. RHINEHART is a partner with the commercial litigation firm Faruki Ireland & Cox P.L.L., which has offices in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s not breaking news that, since the inception of social
Many non-lawyers don’t know that the bar admission process requires new lawyers to pass a character and fitness test before they can practice law and to adhere to high professional standards once admitted. In theory, the character and fitness requirement protects the public from individuals whose past conduct
At your family Thanksgiving dinner, that first bite of turkey is just about to enter your mouth when Uncle Charlie turns to you and says, “I think my business partner has gone crazy. I’m sure she’s stealing money from the company. Your parents are paying big bucks to
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