The Importance of a Nonengagement Letter
The Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit recently affirmed the dismissal of legal malpractice claims against Bossier City lawyer W. Jarred Franklin because he sent a timely disengagement letter …
Don’t Mislead an Unrepresented Person
The lawyer who recently sued Led Zeppelin for copyright infringement and lost has lost again. On June 30, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed …
Are Federal Prosecutors Bound by Rule 3.8(e) When Issuing Grand-Jury Subpoenas to Lawyers?
No, according to a recent 2-1 decision by the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Rule 3.8(e) prohibits a prosecutor from issuing a subpoena to a lawyer “in a grand …
Must a Fixed-Fee Lawyer Keep Time Sheets?
The Kansas Supreme Court thinks so. See In re John W. Thurston, No. 114,543 (Ks. Apr. 15, 2016). In Thurston, the respondent represented a client in a criminal case on …
“Insidious” Actions of Judge Result in New Trial
A sharply divided Louisiana Supreme Court granted a new trial after a defense verdict in a medical malpractice action. According to the court, the trial judge’s actions resulted in “a …
New Orleans Lawyer Suspended for Retaining Co-Counsel Solely to Force Judge Porteous’s Recusal
On May 4, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the suspension of New Orleans lawyer Joseph N. Mole from the practice of law in …
Complaint Alleging Improper Facebook “Friend” Request Allowed to Proceed
The New Jersey Supreme Court refused to dismiss a grievance against John J. Robertelli for allegedly improper conduct associated with a Facebook “friend” request. In order to obtain information about a …
Complaint That Lawyer Filed Frivolous Suit Relating to Lost Malaysia Airlines Flight is Dismissed
Shortly after Malaysia Airlines Fight 370 disappeared, Chicago lawyer Monica E. Ribbeck sued Boeing and Malaysia Airlines alleging that the flight “crashed as the result of ‘the negligence of unknown individuals …
Lawyer Suspended for Failing to Disclose During Mediation That His Client Was Dead
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals suspended Kenneth H. Rosenau from the practice of law for a period of thirty days for failing to disclose the death of his …
Court Reinstates Suspended Lawyer With No-Solo-Practice Condition
In an unusual rehearing order, the Louisiana Supreme Court reinstated suspended lawyer Robert A. Booth, Jr., with the condition that for a two-year probationary period he “may not operate a …