What will it mean for law schools if states ease UPL restrictions?

If states adopt regulations that allow people to practice some forms of law without a JD, that could decrease the pool of law school applicants. But it also might result…

Nov 27, 2019 12:34 PM CST

The ethics argument for promoting equality in the profession

Recognizing a lawyer’s ethical obligation to promote diversity bridges the gap between the moral case for diversity and the business case for diversity. It invokes shared values and professional responsibility. To establish that, we have the obligation and the agency to pursue liberty and justice for all, within and outside our practices.

Nov 1, 2019 1:40 AM CDT

Did DLA Piper shield partners on a top 10 list? New allegations surface in EEOC case

Updated: Former DLA Piper partner Louis Lehot had so much power from his status as a rainmaker that higher-ups at the law firm were reluctant to cross him, according to allegations by a former professional responsibility counsel at the law firm.

Oct 23, 2019 12:57 PM CDT

Do you or your firm have activities planned for the National Celebration of Pro Bono?

Pro bono work can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life for a lawyer.

ABA Model Rule 6.1 says: “Every lawyer, regardless of professional prominence or professional…

Oct 9, 2019 12:52 PM CDT

Split intensifies over prosecutors’ ethical disclosure duties

States remain split on whether a prosecutor’s ethical duties for disclosures in a criminal case should extend beyond their constitutional obligations set by the U.S. Supreme Court. Most recently, the Tennessee Supreme Court vacated a formal ethics opinion that determined a prosecutor’s ethical duties were more expansive than those required under the Supreme Court’s decision in Brady v. Maryland in 1963.

Oct 2, 2019 8:30 AM CDT

Lawyer reprimanded for discriminatory statements about Chinese optometrist

A New Jersey lawyer was reprimanded Friday for demeaning and discriminatory statements about the Chinese culture in a letter to a medical malpractice defendant.

Sep 9, 2019 10:36 AM CDT

Nonlawyers could invest in law firms and own legal businesses under Utah work group’s proposal

A Utah task force is proposing a “regulatory sandbox” to allow experimentation with nonlawyer ownership of legal businesses and nonlawyer investment in law firms.

New legal services providers would test…

Aug 28, 2019 11:13 AM CDT

What lawyers can learn about prosecutorial ethics from a Brad Pitt role

A lawyer who’s been a victim of a crime prior to becoming a prosecutor can provide a valuable and unique perspective. But the line can potentially blur when they only prosecute the types of cases they personally suffered through, writes lawyer Adam Banner.

Aug 22, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Discipline recommended for bar code switches; Andrew McCabe sues over firing

• A staff lawyer for an Ohio judge is facing possible discipline after he was accused of switching bar codes on Walmart merchandise before going through the self-checkout. The lawyer,…

Aug 8, 2019 4:44 PM CDT

In-House Ethics: Top state court says ethics rules haven’t ‘evolved with the profession’ and lawyer-client relationships

A fired in-house lawyer may sue his former employer for breach of contract and violation of public policy, despite an ethics rule that “robustly protects” a client’s right to terminate a lawyer at any time, for any reason, the Washington Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-3 decision.

Jul 25, 2019 3:31 PM CDT

Second state adopts ABA model rule barring discrimination and harassment by lawyers

Maine has adopted an ABA model rule that bars discrimination and harassment by lawyers.

Maine is the second state to adopt Rule 8.4(g) of the ABA Model Rules of Professional…

Jun 13, 2019 11:39 AM CDT

Lawyers have a duty to disclose adverse legal authority even if it hurts their case

Attorneys are supposed to be zealous advocates for their clients and win their cases. Should they mention an adverse ruling and distinguish it, or just ignore the case and cite other authorities?

Jun 1, 2019 1:15 AM CDT

Should there be a duty of tech competence for judges? Survey raises questions

The ABA added a duty of technology competence to the model ethics rules for lawyers in August 2012, but no such duty has been added to the model rules…

May 10, 2019 4:13 PM CDT