Legal Ethics
Florida First State To Regulate Law Firms' Social Media Pages
The Florida bar recently issued guidelines for advertising and social networking sites. The Florida State Bar has mandated that any request for a non-client to follow the firm on twitter, is subject to advertising rules. Attorneys are concerned about the new guidelines and their applicability to Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin, are attorneys to state…
Read MoreThe Arizona Supreme Court Rejects Law Allowing the Governor More Choices In Filling Judicial Vacancies
In Dobson v. State, the Court struck down legislation that enabled the governor greater influence in selecting judges. The law in question (HB 2600), allows the judicial commission to submit at least five persons for nomination to the governor. The Court struck down the law because it conflicted directly with State’s Constitution that provides that the commission…
Read MoreLawyers Should Pause Before Responding To Negative Posts On Avvo
An Illinois lawyer is facing potential discipline from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for her response to a former client’s complaint posted on the website Avvo. The disciplinary complaint indicates that her response revealed attorney-client privileged information and conversion of client funds. The attorney is defending the complaint and it is currently…
Read MoreMaricopa County Attorney General Announces Intent To Retry Debra Milke
The 9th Circuit recently granted Milke’s Habeas Corpus petition and vacated her 1990 murder conviction. She was previously convicted of conspiring to murder her 4 year old son. Her conviction was based on her alleged confession to Phoenix Police. The detective had a history of misconduct and lying. However, the State knew of these issues…
Read MoreDo You agree with the State Bar of Arizona's recent ethical opinion regarding groupon and other internet coupon based discounts?
In a recent ethics opinion, the State Bar of Arizona recently opined that a lawyer’s use of groupon or other similar internet marketing voucher is likely unethical as it violates ERs 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.15, 1.16, 1.18, 5.4, 7.1, and 7.2.. You can read the full opinion here 201305E001
Read MoreArizona Supreme Court Approves Allowing Third Years To Sit For Bar Exam
On December 10, 2012 the Arizona Supreme Court issued an order amending Rule 34, of the Rules of the Supreme Court, be amended, albeit on an experimental basis allowing still in school third years to sit for the Arizona Bar Exam. Is this a good idea? Order Amending Rule 34
Read MorePre-graduation Third Years Taking The Bar Exam?
The Arizona Supreme Court is considering to allow third-year law students to take the bar exam before graduation. While all three Arizona based law schools (yes remember there is now the Phoenix School of Law) support the idea. However, the Supreme Court’s Attorney Regulation Advisory Committee opposes the idea. The Committee cited to several other…
Read MoreCity of Detroit Hit With $1.1 Million Default Judgment In Civil Rights' Case
A judge recently awarded $1.1 million to Sosa who had sued Detroit police accusing officers of violating his rights and coercing him to sign a confession. In 2007, he was just 14 when he was charged with murder. A jury acquitted him in 2009. Sosa, now 19, claimed police violated his constitutional rights by coercing…
Read MoreMinnesota Attorney Sued Over Nigerian Lottery Type Scam
The Minnesota lawyer deposited what he believed was a legitimate cashiers check ($298K) from a client into his client trust account. Turns out the check was a fake. According to the lawyer he believed he was hired to collect an outstanding account. Though the lawyer should have been clued in when the client asked him…
Read MoreArizona District Court Chief Justice Levies Hefty Sanction Against Goodyear Tire Company
According to Judge Silver (in her 66 page sanction order), Goodyear’s discovery strategy was to withhold obviously responsive documents, and allowed the Plaintiff and their experts to operate under erroneous facts. As part of the sanction order Goodyear is now required to file a copy of this sanction order in ALL cases involving its G159 tire. The…
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