Black is the New Black for Florida Judges
The Supreme Court of Florida on September 10, 2015, adopted on its own motion a new rule governing judges’ attire. The rule is simple: “[d]uring any judicial proceeding, robes worn …
ABA Considering New Model Rule Prohibiting Harassment and Discrimination
The ABA is again considering whether to adopt a model rule of professional conduct prohibiting a lawyer from engaging in harassment or discrimination based on various human conditions. See ABA Standing …
Do You Have a Law-Practice Succession Plan?
The Louisiana State Bar Association thinks that you should. In June 2015, the LSBA House of Delegates and Board of Governors approved a resolution proposing the adoption of a new …
Pro Bono = Mandatory CLE. Huh?
Effective May 1, 2015, the Louisiana Supreme Court Rules for Continuing Legal Education grant up to three hours of mandatory continuing legal education credit for pro bono legal work: Credit …
Abraham Lincoln Weighs in on Up-Front Fixed Fees
As noted in a recent post, the LSBA Rules of Professional Conduct Committee is evaluating a proposed amendment to Louisiana Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(f)(2). Under the current rule, a lawyer …
Should Fixed Fees Paid Up-Front be Placed in Trust?
That issue is currently under consideration by the LSBA Rules of Professional Conduct Committee. Under current Louisiana Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(f)(2), a lawyer earns a fixed fee when the …
New ABA Criminal Justice Standards
In February 2015, the ABA House of Delegates adopted a Fourth Edition of the ABA Criminal Justice Standards for the Prosecution and Defense Functions. This is the first new edition in more …
Louisiana Supreme Court Amends Rule 1.6 on Confidentiality
On January 13, 2015, the Louisiana Supreme Court amended Rule 1.6 of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct both to permit more disclosures of client confidential information, and to require …
LSBA Proposes Legislation Creating Private Right of Action for UPL
On January 17, 2015, the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) adopted a resolution submitted by the association’s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee proposing legislation that would grant certain …
New Rule Requires Quarterly Reconciliation of Lawyer Trust Accounts
On January 13, 2015, the Louisiana Supreme Court adopted a Louisiana State Bar Association recommendation to amend Rule 1.15 to require periodic reconciliations of client trust accounts. See La. Sup. Ct. Order of Jan. …