Client Protection

77 ABA Journal Client Protection articles.

Ex-lawyer gets prison time after staging sham depositions, creating bogus documents to claim court wins

A former California lawyer has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for collecting legal fees from clients and then using phony legal documents to persuade them that he was winning their cases.

Oct 6, 2022 11:56 AM CDT

After suspension, Judicial Watch founder alleges legal ‘jihad’ to remove pro-Trump lawyers

Judicial Watch founder Larry Klayman has gone on the offensive after his 18-month suspension for ethics violations while representing a woman in a lawsuit against Voice of America.

Sep 20, 2022 9:38 AM CDT

Dentons’ $32.3M malpractice loss remains intact after top Ohio court declines to hear case

Updated: The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear Dentons’ appeal of a malpractice verdict requiring it to pay $32.3 million to a former corporate client that had to find new lawyers after the law firm was tossed from a patent case.

Aug 31, 2022 10:12 AM CDT

Massachusetts high court tells defense counsel when to stay quiet about confidential information

Massachusetts’ highest appellate court has instructed lawyers about when to stay quiet about evidence that could incriminate their clients.

Aug 23, 2022 2:00 PM CDT

8 types of clients you must manage in your legal practice

Very early in my legal career while practicing law in Jamaica, a client kept me on my toes with a criminal law matter. In one instance, it was clear I had not been given any written instructions about a matter and that client was getting increasingly agitated. A very senior lawyer sitting beside me passed me a note that simply said, “Get that in writing. You must always protect yourself.”

Aug 17, 2022 3:06 PM CDT

Why it helps to have some clients

Clients. If you have a private law practice, it helps to have them. But what does one do to land clients—and more important, the right ones?

Aug 15, 2022 10:49 AM CDT

Judge accused of bullying behavior and demeaning comments gets suspension

The Arkansas Supreme Court has ordered a judge to be suspended without pay after he was accused of making negative comments to unrepresented defendants about their appearance, background, residency and ethnicity.

Aug 12, 2022 11:32 AM CDT

Lawyers can hold cryptocurrency in escrow for clients, with safeguards, state ethics opinion says

Lawyers may hold cryptocurrency in escrow for clients, but they must have technical competence and safeguard against losses, according to an Ohio ethics opinion.

Aug 12, 2022 9:13 AM CDT

Sharing fees with nonlawyers is inconsistent with profession’s ‘core values,’ ABA House says

Additional language reaffirmed the “core values” in the ABA’s Model Rule of Professional Conduct 5.4. and said that “nothing in the resolution” should be interpreted as undermining a 2020 House resolution that encouraged regulatory innovation to expand access to justice.

Aug 9, 2022 2:43 PM CDT

New York is first state to require CLE course in cybersecurity

Lawyers in New York will have to take at least a one-hour cybersecurity course as part of their continuing legal education requirements beginning in July 2023.

Aug 8, 2022 9:51 AM CDT

Avoiding Unlawful Client Solicitation: Attorneys must ensure subordinates know the dos and don’ts

Most attorneys understand they must refrain from improper solicitation of potential clients for pecuniary gain, but a new formal opinion clarifies that practitioners must go even further. Beyond their own actions, lawyers are obligated to train their employees to avoid similarly unlawful solicitous behavior.

Aug 1, 2022 1:40 AM CDT

Self-described ‘lottery lawyer’ is found guilty in scheme to defraud his lottery-winner clients

A former Rivkin Radler partner who marketed himself as the nation’s leading lottery lawyer was convicted Tuesday for defrauding his winning clients.

Jul 27, 2022 2:31 PM CDT

10 tips for lawyers to establish self-confidence and client compassion

Check out some tips to establish yourself as a competent and compassionate lawyer to potential clients, from North Carolina lawyer James Gray Robinson.

Jul 19, 2022 10:25 AM CDT

How to manage client expectations with help from the film ‘Michael Clayton’

“I want this case dismissed.” That’s how many of my new client intakes start, to one degree or another. It may not be the first phrase out of my prospective patron’s mouth, but it comes quickly nonetheless. The demand is often followed by an explanation of the person’s perspective: “I looked at the results on your website, and I know you’ve gotten these types of cases dismissed before,” or “I know (insert previous client’s name), and they said you’re the best and can get rid of this.”

Jun 27, 2022 1:32 PM CDT

Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer pleads guilty to allegations he stole from other clients

Criminal Justice

Jun 17, 2022 2:21 PM CDT

Read more ...