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2011 wrap-up: Tech and practice management tips 

Published: January 3, 2012

Tags: blogging, ethics, iPad, iPhone apps, legal fees, practice management, referrals, technology, websites

In 2011, Lawyers USA covered a range of technology, marketing and law firm management topics for small and solo law firms.

Here’s a look at some of our top stories on managing your technology and marketing your firm.

Top news in legal ethics in review 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: December 27, 2011

Tags: attorney advertising, blogging, cloud computing, ethics, ghostwriting, legal ethics, metadata, referrals, technology, Total Attorneys

News in legal ethics in 2011 ran the gamut from high-tech – can I friend the employee of an opposing party? – to more traditional challenges, like attorney advertising and judicial recusal.

The many faces of law firm financial impropriety 

By: Ed Poll
Published: December 16, 2011

Tags: ethics, fraud, practice management

Financial fraud should, in theory, never be a concern for a law firm, where ethical considerations must predominate.

Ore. issues ethics opinions on metadata, cloud computing 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: December 15, 2011

Tags: cloud computing, ethics, metadata

In a pair of opinions, the Oregon State Bar recently addressed two thorny issues for attorneys: metadata and cloud computing.

Attorney ghostwriting could gain acceptance after ruling 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: December 7, 2011

Tags: ethics, ghostwriting, unbundling

Attorneys who practice before the 2nd Circuit now have the option to draft pleadings and motions for pro se clients without disclosing their involvement – a process known as “ghostwriting” – after the court’s recent ruling that such actions do not constitute misconduct warranting sanctions.

Lawmakers urge probe of Thomas’ nondisclosures 

Published: October 13, 2011

Tags: Clarence Thomas, Congress, ethics, Supreme Court, U.S. Judicial Conference

WASHINGTON – In a letter to the U.S. Judicial Conference, 19 House lawmakers called for an investigation into whether U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas violated federal ethics laws by omitting information from annual financial disclosure forms.

Anonymous tipster doesn’t cause disqualification of attorney 

Published: October 11, 2011

Tags: disqualification, ethics, privilege

A lawyer representing a party in a business dispute was not subject to disqualification based on the fact that he reviewed privileged materials that he received unsolicited from an anonymous source, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled in affirming judgment.

Duty to disclose exculpatory evidence may be broadened 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: September 23, 2011

Tags: 'Brady' claim, Criminal Law, duty to disclose, ethics, prosecutor

The U.S. Supreme Court is once again poised to consider when post-conviction relief is available for an alleged failure by prosecutors to disclose exculpatory evidence under Brady v. Maryland.

But the American Bar Association is asking the Court to take a step farther and declare that the duty to disclose goes beyond Brady.

New ethics proposals would facilitate cross-border practice 

Published: September 22, 2011

Tags: ABA, ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20, American Bar Association, conflict of interest, cross-border practice, ethics, lawyer advertising, lawyer marketing, multijurisdictional practice, unauthorized practice of law

An American Bar Association ethics panel has proposed rule changes that would make it easier for lawyers to engage in cross-border practice, while making clear that one’s “virtual presence” in another jurisdiction may trigger a rule violation.

Ethics opinion: Fee change must be ‘reasonable’ 

Published: September 19, 2011

Tags: ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, attorney fees, ethics

A lawyer must be prepared to show that modifications to the terms of an existing fee agreement were reasonable at the time changes were made, according to an American Bar Association ethics opinion.