Practice in Federal Court During State Court Suspension Not “Unauthorized”
On November 20, 2009, the LASC reinstated New Orleans lawyer Joseph M. Bruno to the practice of law in state courts. See In re Bruno, LASC No. 09-OB-2227 (filed Nov. …
Our Dysfunctional Marriage to the Law
I stumbled across a recent blog post asking an interesting question about me, “Is attorney Dane Ciolino of New Orleans an apologist for judicial misfits, a moron and ethically inept?” …
Lawyer Interfirm Mobility Facilitated by Recent Developments
Traditionally, a lawyer joined a law firm immediately after law school graduation and retired from that firm after a long career. This, of course, is no longer true. Several recent …
LSBA Rules Committee to Consider New Rules
The Rules of Professional Conduct Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association will meet on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:00 noon. The meeting will be held at the Bar …
Incompetent Lawyer or Incompetent System?
On October 9, 2009, a hearing committee of the Louisiana Disciplinary Board recommended dismissal of all disciplinary charges lodged against Baton Rouge criminal-defense lawyer Kevin P. Monahan. See In re …
Federalism in Lawyer Discipline
The LADB has recommended the reinstatement of New Orleans lawyer Joseph M. Bruno. See In re Bruno, No. 08-DB-056 (filed Oct. 13, 2009). Mr. Bruno was suspended from the practice …
New Advertising Disclaimer Requirements: Size Matters
The new advertising provisions of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct, which became effective October 1, 2009, now contain specific requirements for disclaimers and disclosures. The rules mandate “disclaimers” for …
De Minimis Violations Not Sanctionable
All disciplinary violations are not created equal. The Louisiana Supreme Court has held that conduct constituting a relatively minor violation of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct will not result …
New Advertising Rules Effective October 1, 2009
Revised provisions of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct relating to Information About Legal Services in general, and lawyer advertising in particular, became effective on October 1, 2009. The Louisiana …
Fixed Fees Are Earned When Paid in Louisiana
In an interesting opinion decided today (September 24, 2009), the District of Columbia Court of Appeals held that fixed fees “are an advance of unearned fees that belong to the …