Client Protection

What are ethical obligations for an organization’s counsel when giving legal advice to constituents?

When an organization’s in-house counsel or outside counsel communicates legal advice to its constituents, it should be clear that the lawyer represents the organization, not the individuals, according to a new ABA ethics opinion.

Jan 8, 2025 10:02 AM CST

Lawyer suspended for ‘predatory style of taking on client representation’

A Philadelphia lawyer has been suspended for five years after a state disciplinary board concluded that he lacked an “ethical compass” and provided no evidence of “genuine concern for his clients.”

Nov 21, 2024 2:52 PM CST

BigLaw firm sanctioned for ‘flagrant violations of a protective order’

Latham & Watkins and its client must pay an attorney-fee sanction for “flagrant violations of a protective order,” according to a federal judge in California.

Nov 4, 2024 2:36 PM CST

Generative AI brings new insights to litigation analytics tools

Updated: With the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, many traditional software categories have been reinvented. Legal software has not been immune from this impactful change. Over the past few years, AI has been increasingly embedded into tools that support legal workflows, and the result has been improved functionality that increases the overall intuitiveness and value of legal software.

Oct 28, 2024 9:03 AM CDT

Lawyer accused of ‘egregious acts of dishonesty,’ gambling with client cash gets disbarred

A California lawyer has been disbarred after he was accused of misappropriating nearly $117,000 in client money, spending it on gambling and personal expenses, and then lying to state bar officials about having cancer.

Oct 22, 2024 11:44 AM CDT

Florida lawyer says she used trust account funds to avoid becoming homeless

An Orlando, Florida, lawyer accused of client trust account violations has said she used some settlement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid becoming homeless when she lost her primary job as a schoolteacher.

Oct 17, 2024 1:58 PM CDT

Overturning 45-year precedent, New Jersey gives disbarred lawyers second chance

Former New Jersey lawyers who are disbarred will in most cases be allowed to apply for reinstatement after five years, the New Jersey Supreme Court has decided.

Oct 16, 2024 11:55 AM CDT

Nixon Peabody sues law firm for allegedly luring away its clients without cut of contingency fee

Updated: Nixon Peabody has filed a lawsuit alleging that its clients were improperly lured away by personal injury law firm Shaheen & Gordon through use of “scare tactics” and false promises.

Oct 10, 2024 3:26 PM CDT

Lawyer accused of exploiting elderly client is found liable for $26M in malpractice case

Trials & Litigation

Oct 7, 2024 2:51 PM CDT

Worried your legal work could contribute to clients’ criminal conduct? New ABA ethics opinion shares guidelines

What are lawyers’ duties to assess the facts and the circumstances of every client’s or potential client’s situation—to ensure that the representation does not contribute or further the client’s criminal or fraudulent activity? This question is addressed in a new ethics opinion from the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Aug 23, 2024 10:03 AM CDT

What are ethical obligations for an organization’s counsel when giving legal advice to constituents?

Lawyer suspended for ‘predatory style of taking on client representation’

BigLaw firm sanctioned for ‘flagrant violations of a protective order’

Generative AI brings new insights to litigation analytics tools

Lawyer accused of ‘egregious acts of dishonesty,’ gambling with client cash gets disbarred

Florida lawyer says she used trust account funds to avoid becoming homeless

Overturning 45-year precedent, New Jersey gives disbarred lawyers second chance

Nixon Peabody sues law firm for allegedly luring away its clients without cut of contingency fee

Lawyer accused of exploiting elderly client is found liable for $26M in malpractice case

Worried your legal work could contribute to clients’ criminal conduct? New ABA ethics opinion shares guidelines

Lawyer accused of misappropriating up to $282M allegedly handed firm control to disbarred attorney

7 steps to successful crisis management

‘Am I some punching bag?’ Lawyer says he put ex-client’s girlfriend in headlock after attack

Legal community ‘bamboozled’ by woman who allegedly posed as attorney for years

Looking for practice advice on email discussion lists? Don’t forget client confidentiality responsibilities

Topics: Career & Practice

SCOTUSblog founder Tom Goldstein faces tax evasion charges

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