Disbarment for Phone Sex
On January 4, 2017, the New Jersey Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for, among other things, using client trust funds to pay for phone sex. See In re James P. Madden, …
Lawyer Admonished for Trust Accounting Problems “Common in Legal Practice”
The Vermont Supreme Court has privately admonished a lawyer for engaging in trust accounting irregularities that the court noted are “common in legal practice, particularly for small firms and solo …
Northshore Lawyer Suspended for Accepting Marijuana as Fee
On January 20, 2017, the Louisiana Supreme Court suspended St. Tammany Parish lawyer James D. Mecca for one year as a result of his acceptance of “marijuana in exchange for …
Fifth Circuit Sanctions Defense Lawyers for Inadequate Initial Disclosures
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed sanctions imposed against defense lawyers1 for their failure to produce all relevant evidence in their clients’ Rule 26 initial …
Does a Lawyer Who Targets Ads with Geofencing Make Impermissible Contacts with Prospective Clients?
When a lawyer sends a targeted, unsolicited written communication to a prospective client whom the lawyer knows to need legal services in a particular matter, the lawyer’s communication must prominently …
How Far Can a Lawyer Go in Criticizing a Louisiana Judge?
Not very far at all.
May I Copy Legal Arguments Verbatim From Another Lawyer’s Brief?
No, it’s copyright infringement. See Newegg, Inc. v. Ezra Sutton, P.A., 120 U.S.P.Q.2d 1111 (C.D. Cal. Sep. 13, 2016) (2016 BL 299780). New Jersey lawyer Ezra Sutton copied “substantial portions” of a …
Lawyer Disciplined for Sex With Corporation
The Supreme Court of Kansas indefinitely suspended Kansas City lawyer Allison L. Bergman in part for having sex with a corporate client. See In re Allison L. Bergman, No. 115,448 (Oct. 28, …
Rules Prohibit Lying to Opposing Counsel
On September 16, 2016, the Supreme Court of Iowa suspended Des Moines lawyer Kathryn Barnhill for lying to her opponent about whether she had sent a partial fee refund to …
Don’t Engage in the Unauthorized Practice of Law By Giving Advice to an Out-of-State Relative
On August 31, 2016, the Minnesota Supreme Court admonished a Colorado lawyer for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law by helping his in-laws with a dispute against their condominium …