News & Insights

Although Arizona was the first jurisdiction to eliminate Rule 5.4 to allow legal practices to experiment with alternative business models, the idea did not start there. It started in California. Perhaps you are wondering where California is on this issue? This month’s legal ethics column discusses why California rejected the very reforms that its bar recommended.

The November legal ethics column highlights the potential impact of the August 2022 ruling by Judge Linda Parker from the Eastern District of Michigan sanctioning nine attorneys who brought 2020 election challenges in Michigan. According to Judge Parker’s ruling, these lawyers have landed in ethical hot water regarding Rule 11. And, while her decision is on appeal, it’s worth noting the implications that the ruling could have for all litigators.

The October column highlights, yet again, the perils of social media in the legal profession. By highlighting a recent medical malpractice case from Orange County, California where a lawyer and his firm took to Instagram to tout a victory in a video post, which also featured the lawyer making remarks that later ended up in opposing counsel’s hands, leading the court to grant a new trial. Read about the avoidable turn of events and see why one should re-think a victory dance on social media.