Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Risk Management
Managing Risk: What If Your Assumptions Are Wrong?

Everyone makes assumptions. You might be surprised, though, at how many malpractice claims result merely from a lawyer working under a false assumption. Take the attorney who allows her workload to grow beyond a reasonable level — she might ...

Mark Bassingthwaighte - February 19, 2015
Create a Shared Vision for Your Law Firm

Businesses of all shapes and sizes set aside time at year's end to review their mission statement, strategic plan and operational plan. Unfortunately, few solo and small law firms see the value in using these particular business-planning tools. ...

Mark Bassingthwaighte - November 19, 2014
dealing with burnout
Small Matters: I Never Said I Would Do That

In some high-volume practices, a typical engagement can be very small. Some solo lawyers make a practice out of hundreds of single-hour consultations. For lawyers in these consultation-heavy practices, it should be routine to have clients sign a ...

Megan Zavieh - November 13, 2014
Social Media
New Guidance for Lawyers on the Ethics of Social Media Use

Do you need advice about the ethics issues involved in social networking? Chances are your questions will be answered by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s recent Formal Opinion 2014-300. The 18-page opinion addresses issues that are important ...

Mary Pat Benz - October 23, 2014
Malpractice Risk
Tempted by a Personal Injury Case?

I’m always cautioning lawyers about the hazards of dabbling, reminding them that there really is no such thing as a "simple" will or contract. It's not that I want them to avoid taking on matters that lead them into unfamiliar territory. Rather, ...

Mark Bassingthwaighte - September 11, 2014
On Balance by Megan Zavieh
Credit Cards: Worth It to Work It Out

Accepting credit cards is just about the easiest way to ensure clients have no excuse not to pay your bills.

Megan Zavieh - June 18, 2014
sign that says we apologize admit your mistakes
To Err Is Human — To Admit It, Divine

It was my worst nightmare as a young lawyer.

Shari Shapiro - May 14, 2014
dealing with burnout
Attorney Discipline: Does Time in Practice Count?

When sanctioning lawyers who have violated the rules, ethics regulators typically consider a set of aggravating circumstances that can increase the punishment, as well as a list of mitigating factors that may reduce it. These factors may include ...

Megan Zavieh - April 30, 2014
Mindfulness
Back to Business School for Ethics Violations

When a lawyer runs afoul of the rules of professional conduct, there are consequences. Depending on the severity of the rule violation, discipline might consist of disbarment, suspension, reprimand (public censure) or admonition (private ...

Roy S. Ginsburg - April 8, 2014
dealing with burnout
Random Trust Account Audits: Latest Wave of Regulator Concern

Trust accounting has always been a hot topic for ethics regulators. Understandably, of course, since how lawyers handle their clients’ money goes not only to the heart of the trust between a lawyer and a client, but it can also have wide-ranging ...

Megan Zavieh - March 31, 2014
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