New Fingerprinting Rule
By Deborah Wolfe California attorneys need to know that as of June 1, 2018, all members of the California Bar are required to submit their fingerprints electronically to the State Bar. Most of us...
Category: Legal Ethics
You Want to Record What? Think twice before pressing record
By Edward McIntyre, Cartoon by George Brewster Jr. Duncan hovered at Macbeth’s door, another man in tow. “Can we disturb you, Uncle? My friend, Smedley.” “You have. But come in and take a seat....
The New Rule 4.1 “Truthfulness in Statements to Others”
By Richard D. Hendlin When the new and revised Rules of Professional Conduct become effective on November 1, 2018, California will finally join the other 49 states which have already adopted some version of American...
Internet-Based Marketing Programs: Be Selective
By Jennifer Gilman On May 10, 2018, the California Supreme Court approved a comprehensive set of New Rules of Professional Conduct (New Rules) for California lawyers, which take effect November 1, 2018. Many attorneys are contemplating...
Countdown to the New Rules of Professional Responsibility
By Patrick Kearns We’re almost there! For regular readers of Ethics in Brief, or for that matter anyone who follows legal ethics in some manner, you’re seeing a lot of articles and information about...
Demand Letters: Where Do You Draw the Line?
By David Carr There is probably no bad time to discuss the ethics of extortionate demand letters, but this time may be better than most. These ethics may seem a little paradoxical, much like the...
Ethically Withdrawing from Representation
By Carole Buckner Properly withdrawing from representation pursuant to applicable rules, ethics opinions and case law can reduce the risk of a legal malpractice claim. On November 1, 2018, California’s revised Rules of Professional...
The New “Candor” Rule — A Changed Landscape
By Edward McIntyre On November 1, 2018, all California lawyers face a challenge. New and revised Rules of Professional Conduct become effective. “Trick or treat” the day after Halloween. Although the primary purpose of...
Ethical Departures: Obligations to Clients When Attorneys Change Firms
By Marianne Barth Years ago, attorney mobility referred to an attorney’s rise in the firm’s ranks from law clerk to associate, to junior partner, to equity partner. Today attorney mobility refers to the ritual...
Could a Robot Do This?
No, legal ethics involves moral judgment By Edward McInytre, Cartoon by George Brewster Jr. Macbeth and his team had just finished their monthly Professional Responsibility Roundtable when Rugger rushed to the speakers’ table. “Hey Macbeth!”...