2020 - Page 2 of 7 - Legal Ethics Advisor

Virginia Supreme Court Issues and Rescinds Legal Ethics Opinion on the No Contact Rule

by Estefania Re in communication. Posted October 12, 2020

In January, the Virginia Supreme Court adopted Legal Ethics Opinion (LEO) 1890 regarding Rule 4.2 of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct.

Increased Cybercrime Leaves Attorneys Vulnerable to Breaches of Attorney-Client Privilege

by Claire Chatellier in confidentiality. Posted October 11, 2020

In a recent report, the New York Civil Liberties Union urged attorneys to bolster encryption and update the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility, amidst increasing hacking attempts. Cybercrime

Disclosing Information to Prevent Danger: When Your Clients are Those Who Contribute to Climate Change

by Brittany Milrot in confidentiality. Posted October 10, 2020

Attorneys who represent greenhouse gas emitters are finding themselves battling their own legal and ethical risks, as some states are considering an attorney’s knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions to fall under the confidentiality exception that permits disclosure of confidential information when it could prevent death or substantial bodily danger. Disclosing

A Switch to AI Could Help Law Firms Keep Talent in an Already Competitive Market

by Alec Withee in law firms. Posted October 4, 2020

Law firms are always striving to find new ways to set themselves apart from their competition in an effort to both attract and retain the best talent. The next key to achieve this end may be artificial intelligence. Switch

Is Any Information You Provide Online Secure?

by Zachary Schiffman in Bar Exam. Posted October 3, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states are moving their bar examinations online. Information

California Online Bar Exam Raises Concerns for Disabled Law Grads

by Timothy Loftus in Bar Exam. Posted October 2, 2020

Three recent law graduates filed a discrimination lawsuit on September 14, 2020 against the State Bar of California.

The Right to Discriminate: One lawyer’s Battle with The Bar for Free Speech

by Paige Fairman in 8.4 (g). Posted September 27, 2020

On August 6th a Philadelphia lawyer filed a complaint against The Pennsylvania Bar claiming that a new ethics rule infringes on his first amendment rights. Right

D.C. Joins Diploma Privilege Jurisdictions

by Tazio Heller in Diploma Privilege. Posted September 25, 2020

Diploma privilege is a hot topic among our nation’s legal communities.

ABA Ethics Advisory Opinion 490: Judges Should Avoid Criminalizing Poverty through Fines and Fees

by Nicole Vila in judicial canons. Posted September 25, 2020

Earlier this year, the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued 490 titled Ethical Obligations of Judges in Collecting Legal Financial Obligations and Other Debts. ABA

Avoiding Malpractice in the Midst of a Pandemic

by Marissa Stockwell in COVID-19. Posted September 22, 2020

Because the “new normal” is a hotbed for malpractice claims and other expensive errors, attorneys must take care to manage their risk while practicing from home. Avoiding

[…] of a non-binding advisory opinion, as has been the case with other jurisdictions such as, Florida, San Francisco, and Delaware, it is important to note that Ohio went a step further and amended its rule regarding […]

Remote Lawyering: New Jersey and Ohio On Board - Legal Ethics Advisor on Remote Work: San Francisco Bar Association Advice in Ethics Opinion 2021-1
Not all jurisdictions have adopted the Model Rule version of the choice of law rule; seems like there might be a different result in at least some of those states. See, e.g., NY RPC 8.5(b)(2)(i) ("If the lawyer is licensed to practice only in this state, the rules to be applied shall be the rules of this state").

Art Lachman on ABA Opinion 499 Green Lights Lawyers’ Passive Investment in Firms with NonLawyer Ownership

Yearly Archives: 2020 ( Page 2 )