Twenty-Seventh State Adops Duty of Technology Competence
In 2012, the ABA adopted an amendment to ABA Model Rule of Professional Responsibility 1.1, comment 8, providing that “a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its …
February 2017 Discipline
These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations that were made public during the month of February 2017. Louisiana Supreme Court …
Clarify That Any Discount on a Legal Bill is Conditioned on Prompt Payment
Over the course of representing a client, the Boston law firm BourgeoisWhite, LLP, extended various “professional courtesy credits” to its client on legal bills. These discounts totalled more than $29,944 …
Be Careful Allowing Client to “Work Off” a Legal Bill
A recent complaint filed by disciplinary counsel in Illinois is a cautionary tale for lawyers who offer their clients the ability to “work off” an unpaid bill for fees. See In re …
How Long Must I Keep My Former Client’s File?
It depends. In deciding whether to discard a client’s file, a lawyer should consider the nature of the client, the matter, and the documents. Louisiana Rule 1.15(a) provides as follows: A lawyer shall hold …
ABA Calls for Comments on Proposed Amendments to Lawyer Advertising and Anti-Solicitation Rules
The ABA Standing Committee on Ethics & Professional Responsibility has called for comments on a comprehensive proposal by the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers to standardize lawyer advertising rules …
Louisiana Supreme Court Seeks Public Comment on New Rule Governing Fixed Fees
The Louisiana Supreme Court has called for public comment on a proposed amendment to Louisiana Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(f)(2). If adopted, this amendment would impose upon lawyers more onerous informed-consent …
January 2017 Discipline
These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations that were made public during the month of January 2017. Louisiana Supreme Court …
Failure to Pay Litigation-Related Expenses Can be Disciplinary Misconduct
Can the failure to pay a court reporter’s invoice be sanctionable misconduct “prejudicial to the adminstration of justice”? Yes, according to a recent order by the Louisiana Supreme Court. See In re …
Lawyer’s Comment That “I Hope We Work Together” is Not Enough to Form “Prospective Client” Relationship
After a brief phone conversation about the possibility of serving as local counsel in a defamation matter, a would-be client sent a lawyer an email with the names of the …