Ethics in Brief: Obligation to Uphold the Rule of Law
By Timothy Casey This edition of Ethics in Brief offers commentary about the role of lawyers in our society – specifically, the role of lawyers in upholding the “rule of law.” A good starting...
Category: Legal Ethics
Ethics in Brief: Avoiding Sanctions and Possible State Bar Discipline
By: Timothy Casey Courts have authority to impose sanctions on lawyers. California courts find their authority to issue sanctions in Code of Civil Procedure section 128.7, which “authorizes trial courts to impose sanctions to check abuses...
Ethics in Brief: New Advertising and Solicitation Statutes
By David C. Carr On January 1, 2026, two significant bills concerning lawyer advertising and solicitation became effective, SB 37 and AB 931. This legislation changes existing statutes in the State Bar Act (Business &...
Ethics in Brief: Duties Owed to a Client When a Lawyer Is Departing
By: David Majchrzak Every year, it seems to happen shortly after the holiday season concludes. After bonuses have been paid and firms have made their annual distributions to partners and shareholders, lawyers start to...
Ethics in Brief: Ethical Considerations in Using Notetakers
By David Majchrzak In the television series Friends, Ross and Rachel famously have a different interpretation of the expression, “we were on a break.” One believed that meant that the relationship was permanently over,...
Ethics in Brief: New Law to Be Aware Of
By Michael L. Crowley New rules concerning lawyer advertising or use of lawyer referral services (LRS) have been enacted as of January 1 that make profound changes in the law. For decades the rules...
Ethics in Brief —Behind the Brief: Do Clients Need to Know About AI Use in Legal Drafting?
By Alexis C. Garcia, Esq. Many attorneys now rely on AI tools to draft pleadings, summarize materials, or evaluate legal theories before consulting Lexis and Westlaw. While its speed and convenience are undeniable, AI...
Ethics in Brief: Court of Appeal Draws a Bright Line in Frivolous Appeal
By David C. Carr Legal ethics for the practitioner is often about drawing lines. Often, it is not clear where the line should be drawn. The California Rules of Professional Conduct[1] and the statutes in the Business...
Some Practical Guidance for Rule 8.3 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct
By Anne M. Rudolph Rule of Professional Conduct 8.3, titled “Reporting Professional Misconduct,” went into effect on August 1, 2023, making California the last state to implement a version of this rule. Referred to by...
Ethics in Brief: The California State Bar’s “Guidelines” For the Ethical Use of AI
The State Bar of California Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct Practice Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law Executive Summary By Charles Berwanger Generative AI is...