Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, I am a lawyer with a small firm. Recently, one of our partners (Betty) left the firm to join another firm, and Betty took with her a significant client that she had brought to the firm.
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Latest from Dear Ethics Lawyer - Page 9
June 1, 2023 Issue – Generative AI Tools
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, Seemingly out of nowhere, the world is abuzz about ChatGPT and other generative AI tools capable of nearly instantaneous creation of writings that address complex questions, including briefs, memos and other legal documents. Depending upon who…
May 15, 2023 Issue – Drafting Document for Adverse Party to Use
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, I am an attorney for a company desiring to complete a relatively small real estate transaction with an individual to facilitate a larger development. In order to complete the transaction, the individual needs to document an…
May 1, 2023 Issue – Advance Waiver Commercial Parties
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, My firm currently represents two sophisticated commercial parties: client A on tax matters and client B in environmental work. Our firm’s engagement letter with each contains a paragraph providing for an advance waiver of conflicts for…
April 18, 2023 Issue – Conflicts from Family Relationships
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, I am a litigation partner in a firm. My daughter and niece graduated from law school together, and they have now gone to work for separate local litigation boutiques. A large multi-party case was recently filed…
April 3, 2023 Issue – Choice of Law in Multi-State Ethics Issues
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, I am responsible for growth at a law firm based in States A and B. I have recruited a group of lawyers from another firm who would join our State A office, and we are currently…
March 15, 2023 Issue – Settlement to Avoid Disclosing Client Fraud Lawyer Did Not Participate In
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, Our client was sued for breach of contract, and discovery requests were served with the complaint. I immediately reviewed relevant documents and determined that a constituent of the client had fraudulently entered the contract knowing it…
March 1, 2023 Issue – Communication with Others in Non-Lawyer Capacity
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, I am in-house counsel in a growing company. However, as I rise in the ranks of my in-house position, I am gaining the confidence of others, and find myself being asked to attend more and more…
February 15, 2023 Issue – Conflicts of Unclosed “General Files”
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, My firm has represented a wealthy family in estate planning matters for many years. In addition, for at least 25 years, the firm has represented a business owned by family members in a variety of general…
February 1, 2023 Issue – Duty to Disclose Discovery of Completed Fraud
Q: Dear Ethics Lawyer, Our client was sued for breach of contract, and discovery requests were served with the complaint. I was subsequently engaged for the matter, immediately reviewed relevant documents and determined that a constituent of the client had…