The Lawyer's Lawyer

The Lawyer's Lawyer blog, published by Kramer & Connolly, focuses on issues related to attorney discipline and professional ethics primarily within Maryland and the District of Columbia. It covers topics such as the attorney grievance process, disciplinary procedures, and outcomes including disbarments, suspensions, and reprimands. The blog also addresses practical concerns for lawyers like law firm management, client relations, ethical compliance audits, and handling attorney trust accounts. Additionally, it discusses the ethical implications of emerging issues such as the use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. The content aims to assist lawyers in navigating professional responsibility challenges and avoiding or responding to disciplinary actions.

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By: Kramer & Connolly

Latest from The Lawyer's Lawyer - Page 2

Q. As we head to the beach for a two-week vacation, my wife and kids want me to leave my cell phone behind so I won’t be distracted with client calls. Is this a good idea?

Legal Ethics on Vacation

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Q. In charging clients by the hour, aren’t we rewarded for inefficiency and penalized for expeditious resolutions? Is there a more ethical way to bill our clients for legal services?

A. Though there is nothing unethical about charging for the

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Q. Rather than focus on charges that may be tough to beat, my client repeatedly insists that she wouldn’t be prosecuted at all if she were white. As a white woman, how can I get her off this racist rant?

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Q. In a profession with a higher incidence of mental illness and addiction than society at large, are we doing enough to care for our colleagues?

A. Like lawyers themselves, our profession places a low priority on wellness and mental health

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Q. If I don’t take retainers, I won’t need a trust account at all. Can’t I avoid this whole problem by billing for my work after it’s completed?

A. You can—if you wish to trade one problem for a more significant problem.There’s no

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Q. I read that Maryland’s Bar Counsel tried to deprive accused lawyers of an equal right to discovery in disciplinary cases. Whatever happened to fundamental fairness?

A. “Fundamental fairness” is a work in progress — progress that may only be achieved through vigilance in asserting

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I’m one of those legal dinosaurs that still keeps handwritten ledgers. Are there specific programs I should use?

A. Yes. And there are lots of excellent programs to choose from.Just run a search of legal practice management software, and you will

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Q. I handle criminal cases for one flat fee – start to finish. When must I put the fee in trust and when can I take payments along the way?

A. The answer should be clearly stated in your retainer agreement.Although

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Q. Jack Has a General Practice.Without Expertise, He’ll Take What He’ll Please,On Everything under the Sun.Should Jack Forgo Fees, Adopt Specialties,Or Limit His Focus to One?

A. In Lincoln’s day, just about everyone was a Jack-of-All-Trades.Riding the circuit from one courthouse

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