California has new ethics rules effective November 1, 2018. A former litigator and current ethics attorney, Ed McIntyre fills you in on what’s changed… and what’s stayed the same.
If your last name starts with A-G and you haven’t completed your CA CLE you still have time. If you comply with your CA MCLE requirement by June 30, then you will only have to pay a $75 late fee and you can avoid being suspended.
Recognizing conflicts at the outset of the representation is key to avoiding ethical headaches and disqualification. Properly deploying conflict software, conflict waivers and engagement letters can prevent many potential problems.
Yes, your online conduct can get you suspended – or even disbarred. Think twice before you send that nasty tweet to opposing counsel.
The Florida Supreme Court approved a new rule on 1/1/2017 requiring Florida attorneys to complete technology-related CLE courses. If your Florida CLE compliance is due in the next couple years you don’t have to worry about it. FL CLER – Technology Requirement The first Florida attorneys that need to complete 33 hours – including 3 hours of technology – have compliance dates…
Under the CA MCLE Rules, California attorneys are required to complete 25 hours CA MCLE every 3 years. Of those 25 required CA CLE hours, attorneys must complete at least 12.5 hours for participatory credit. OR put another way you CANNOT complete more than 12.5 hours of self-study credit.[1] CA MCLE Requirement – Specialty Credits 4 Legal Ethics 1 Competence Issues 1…
The quote below succinctly sums up how courts and ethics regulators feel about attorney-client transactions and how you will be viewed if you “do business” with your clients. And “doing business with clients” is treated quite expansively by the courts. “Attorneys wear different hats when they perform legal services on behalf of their clients and when they conduct business with them. As…
California attorneys with last names N-Z (Group 3) must complete and report and report compliance with the CA MCLE requirement by the February 1 CA CLE reporting deadline. California attorney beware: the State Bar of California has been conducting thousands of California MCLE audits each year. Below, you will find some of the top mistakes California attorneys make when completing their CA MCLE. California…
Are you required to keep hard copies of all your blog posts? Can you ethically post the big verdict from your trial on your website? Can you counsel clients to remove embarrassing photos from their Facebook page two weeks before trial? What if your friend endorses you for Maritime Law on LinkedIn… but you’re a family law attorney? Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram… every new…
Untreated addictions can seriously affect an attorney’s competence to practice law. Substance abuse and addiction can lead to late filings, missed court appearances, client defaults, poorly drafted pleadings, inappropriate settlements, local & state bar suspension, legal sanctions, restrictions & probation, unpaid dues & bills, disbarment, cancelled malpractice insurance and malpractice lawsuits against the lawyer and his or her client. Substance Abuse &…