Ethics & Professional Responsibility

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The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility recently issued guidance concerning the ethical duties held by firms and lawyers when a lawyer decides to leave the firm. First and foremost, under Model Rule 1.4, lawyers have an ethical duty to inform their clients that they intend to change firms.  Where the attorney had “significant contact” with the client, the lawyer and the firm should agree on a letter to be sent…
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Bottom line: A preemptive strike is one of the few ways defense attorneys can turn the tables on plaintiffs attorneys and prosecutors in high-profile legal disputes. Defense attorneys are typically at a disadvantage in the Court of Public Opinion because they’re always playing defense. But what if there was a way for defense attorneys and their clients to flip the script in the Court of Public Opinion and actually take control and lead the news…
Identifying who your client is at the outset is one of the most important aspects of the attorney-client relationship.  It governs who you can seek payment from and who can sue you for malpractice.  This is particularly important when your client is a limited liability company, general or limited partnership, or a closely held corporation.  Do you only represent the entity or do you also represent the individual cases of that entity?  Either may be…
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A new American Bar Association resolution encourages U.S. jurisdictions to consider innovative approaches to lawyer regulation to increase access to affordable and quality legal services. If approved by the ABA House of Delegates, the resolution would support the revision of existing regulatory structures to better align with the public interest. The resolution and report, which was released by the ABA’s Center for Innovation, supports regulatory reform in three broad areas. These include new categories…
RSMD’s Stephanie Stewart will join the ARDC’s Melissa Smart in a presentation to the Chicago Bar Association Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Committee on December 9, 2019 at 12:15 p.m., at the CBA. The presentation will also be available as a live webcast at http://chicagobar.org. All members are welcome, and Illinois PR-MCLE credit will be available. The post Stephanie Stewart: Co-Presenter at CBA 12/9 appeared first on Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC..…
On November 20, Mary Robinson and Sari Montgomery gave presentations to the Chicago Bar Association’s Unauthorized Practice and Multidisciplinary Practice Committee. Sari addressed the rules and pitfalls of cross-border practice, in particular reviewing scenarios involving states bordering Illinois. Mary addressed the operation of law-related businesses, including tax and immigration consulting services, heir finder and genealogical businesses, and foreclosure surplus fund distribution entities. RSMD’s lawyers are always pleased to give presentations to groups of all sizes,…
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Bottom line: In 2020 and beyond, PR campaigns around high-profile legal disputes are likely to feature aggressive public statements, creative uses of technology, and defendants playing offense One of the largest and most profitable law firms in the world is currently embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute with one of its female law partners. Interestingly, the aggressive public relations campaigns that both sides are employing in the dispute are indicative of five trends for 2020…