LawyersUSA

 

Every month, Lawyers USA takes a look at some of the ethical quandaries attorneys can face.

(CLE Credit – The most recent "Compass" article includes an online assessment that can be found at www.lawyersusa.fastcle.com. You may be approved for 1.0 hours of Ethics credit in your state. To complete the assessment please visit www.lawyersusa.fastcle.com. This is a free service for all Lawyers USA subscribers.)

  

Judicial candidates free to speak out - July 28, 2008 

Ethics expert William Hodes discusses the hazy line between judges stating their views on the issues and making promises on how they will rule in certain types of cases. 

Marketing ethics clouded by online innovations -June 30, 2008

As Internet marketing has grown more sophisticated, it is less clear exactly how the ethical rules governing lawyer marketing should apply.

Win-at-all-costs litigation hurts lawyers and clients alike- May 19, 2008

Some states, concerned about how the word "zealous advocacy" is being interpreted, are removing the phrase from their codes of conduct. In Arizona, an attorney is supposed to act "honorably." In Indiana, an attorney is required to be "effective." In Montana, attorneys are told to be "dedicated."

Lawyers' confidentiality duty: the self-defense exception - April 21, 2008

In the discovery abuse sideshow of the high-stakes Qualcomm litigation, most lawyers have overlooked a critical but often counter-intuitive principle – that lawyers are allowed to disclose client confidences when they are defending themselves from a non-client's attacks. Lawyers USA columnist Thomas Spahn explores this exception to the rule.

Legal ethics and the Nifong disbarment - March 24, 2008

When Durham County North Carolina District Attorney Mike Nifong was disbarred in June 2007, much of the world was watching. Lawyers USA ethics columnist W. William Hodes explores the legal barriers crossed by Nifong.

The ethics of witness preparation - Feb. 25, 2008

There is a very real difference between adequately preparing a witness and coaching the witness about what to say. Lawyers USA ethics columnist Paul L. Friedman discusses the fine line between ethical preparation and unethical coaching.

A look at the year to come: Lawyers advertising in 2008 - Jan. 28, 2008

As we fast-forward to the 21st Century, the debate about the ethics of client development enters its 154th year. Contributing writer Will Hornsby takes look at what the coming year will bring to this debate.

Ethics of outsourcing - Dec. 17, 2007

Unless they are involved in international trade issues, lawyers have traditionally been merely curious bystanders in the debate about outsourcing to India and other foreign countries. But not surprisingly, lawyers' interest in this topic has boomed as cost-conscious clients and large law firms have begun to outsource work. Contributing writer Thomas Spahn presents a checklist for ethical outsourcing.