Client Protection

33 ABA Journal Client Protection articles.

How to know when it’s time to send a client packing

Unlike other relationships, a lawyer-client obligation can spawn without the lawyer even consenting to it, writes Marcel Strigberger.

Feb 10, 2021 1:42 PM CST

How can lawyers balance materially adverse interests? New ABA ethics opinion explores

Conflicts of interest remain a paramount ethical concern, as lawyers owe a duty of loyalty to clients. Rule 1.7 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct prohibits lawyers from having conflicts of interest between existing clients, but lawyers also often owe a duty of loyalty to former clients under Rule 1.9 and prospective clients under Rule 1.18.

Feb 10, 2021 9:07 AM CST

Judge admits she presided in court while ineligible to practice law

A part-time municipal judge in New Jersey has acknowledged that she presided in trials and represented clients while ineligible to practice law.

Feb 9, 2021 2:41 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Judge in ethics trouble for school dispute; lawyer sues ex-client who punched him

Panel recommends judge’s removal for school-dispute conduct

A judicial ethics panel has recommended removal of a judge in Union County, New Jersey, based on her conduct after her children’s Catholic…

Feb 5, 2021 4:18 PM CST

After filing election suits, pro-Trump lawyer L. Lin Wood is asked to undergo mental health evaluation

The State Bar of Georgia has asked lawyer L. Lin Wood Jr., a supporter of former President Donald Trump, to take a mental health examination after he got kicked off a defamation case for “surprising incompetence” in election litigation.

Feb 1, 2021 11:31 AM CST

Need some advice? Here’s a roundup of our tips and tricks to help launch your 2021

At the ABA Journal, part of our mission is to provide useful, relevant advice for members of the legal profession. The past year presented challenges that left all of us scrambling for guidance, and we did our best to serve readers' interests in five major areas: their practice, their well-being, their skill sets, their ethical duties and their career transitions.

Dec 23, 2020 9:42 AM CST

When are personal relationships with opposing counsel conflicts? New ABA ethics opinion weighs in

Lawyers’ personal relationships with opposing counsels may create a conflict under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, according to a new ethics opinion from the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Oct 7, 2020 10:08 AM CDT

Judge asked to order Morgan Lewis, two lawyers and Eric Trump to comply with state subpoenas

New York Attorney General Letitia James has asked a judge to compel testimony by Eric Trump and two lawyers who have done work for the Trump Organization, including a Morgan,…

Aug 24, 2020 4:05 PM CDT

Netflix’s new Jeffrey Epstein docuseries explores conspiracy theories and crime cover-ups

Oklahoma lawyer Adam Banner breaks down Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich and various conspiracy theories surrounding the accusations against Epstein and his death. Banner also shares personal experiences in which he has dealt with client suicide.

Aug 11, 2020 9:20 AM CDT

Immigration firm seeks over $1M in damages from former lawyer for ‘deceitful and dishonest behavior’

An immigration firm with offices in Dallas and Houston is suing a former lawyer for “deceitful and dishonest behavior.”

Jun 12, 2020 2:38 PM CDT

What are your confidentiality obligations to prospective clients? New ABA ethics opinion weighs in

Lawyers owe duties of confidentiality not only to existing and former clients but also to prospective clients. These duties of confidentiality are covered in Model Rules 1.6 (existing), 1.9 (former) and 1.18 (prospective), respectively, of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Jun 9, 2020 10:36 AM CDT

The Zoom boom: How videoconferencing tools are changing the legal profession

Long before social distancing, Zoom touted its capabilities for lawyers. And the platform is booming, with a reported jump from 10 million daily users at the end of 2019 to 200 million in March. But lawyers must be extra careful when using Zoom or any other videoconferencing tool.

Jun 3, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

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