By David Majchrzak California lawyers have a seemingly simple charge when it comes to billing. Rule of Professional Conduct 4-200 precludes them from agreeing to, charging, or collecting an illegal or unconscionable fee. Yet,...
By Edward McIntyre They come in pairs. A young couple who want an estate plan; two women who need a partnership formed; the employer who wants you to represent it and the accused supervisor/co-defendant; the...
By Richard Hendlin This Ethics in Brief will review California Rules of Professional Conduct [CRPC] Rule 5-100 which makes it improper for a California lawyer to “threaten to present criminal, administrative, or disciplinary charges to obtain...
By Jennifer Gilman I, like millions of others, have a Facebook account. I’m responsible with it, as all attorneys should be, and always make sure it passes the “eyebrow test.” That is, I review all...
By Gary Schons “Wow!” Pete lamented as he walked into his partner Judy’s office. “I just got fired by my client in the Butterfield case.” “Isn’t that the business termination case you’ve worked up...
By Charles Berwanger You have done your conflict check and are now ready to undertake the representation of a client. For ethical and practical reasons, that representation should be embodied in a written agreement...
By Leah Strickland You work for a boutique firm that handles transactional legal needs. One of the firm’s clients has grown from a successful regional business into a nationwide powerhouse. It has become so...
By David Cameron Carr Graduation from law school and admission to the bar is a happy event for the new lawyer. It is also a happy event for the new lawyer’s family and friends,...
By Edward McIntyre Cartoon by George Brewster Jr. Macbeth ushered Todd McSweeney to the conference table. “Let’s wait for Sara and Duncan.” “Your castle, your rules.” With everyone seated and introductions complete, Macbeth nodded....
By Leah Strickland Brand new attorneys starting their own practice have a lot of decisions to make, and a lot of those decisions involve overhead. Should I hire a secretary? Do I work out...