By Edward J. McIntyre We tend to think of our obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct as personal duties specific to our own conduct. And, indeed, the rules prescribe permissible conduct for California...
By David C. Carr A State Bar Court hearing judge filed her decision this week recommending the disbament of Thomas V. Girardi. Unless you have been living in cave over the last year[1], you...
Moving Up: But With Caution An opportunity suddenly appears: You’re a solo practitioner or in a small firm. You have the chance to join a larger firm — where the prospects appear brighter —...
By Edward McIntyre Many jurisdictions adopted a version of ABA Model Rule 1.14 to give guidance when lawyers must confront obligations to a client with diminished decision-making capacity. Our Rules Revision Commission submitted a...
A Pending California State Bar Opinion Explains And Gives Guidance On Lawyer Ethical Duties By Charles Berwanger Lawyers are often put into the position of knowingly (or even unknowingly) receiving client direction to, for...
By Jessica Park and Andrew Servais The California State Bar recently seized the client files of Efferin Deans, a man with a 25-year history of impersonating attorneys and two prior convictions of identity theft.[1] On...
Ethical Considerations for Pro Bono Representation One of the most rewarding aspects of an attorney’s job is providing pro bono services to those in need.[1] Though not required, lawyers are encouraged to provide pro...
By David C. Carr Lawyers owe many ethical duties to their clients. Most of these duties are bottomed on the fiduciary nature of the attorney-client relationship. But lawyers also owe ethical duties to the judicial system...
By Edward McIntyre A Central District of California grand jury issued subpoenas to a company and its lawyers related to a criminal investigation of the company’s owner, also a client of the lawyers. The subpoenas...
Legal Ethics for New Attorneys: Trump’s Attorneys’ Fiasco Time for a Review of an Attorney’s Ethical Duties to Tell the Truth, Show Candor Toward the Tribunal, Provide Counsel Only on Legal or Just Matters,...