Stop Reading Inadvertently Disclosed Privileged Writing and Notify Counsel
By Rayna A. Stephan
Resist the temptation of examining apparently privileged writing sent inadvertently by opposing counsel. Stop reading and return it to sender.
Tagged: ethics
Communication with Clients — Utmost Importance
By Michael Crowley
California attorneys are constantly reminded that the number one reason for complaints to the state bar about attorneys is the failure to respond to requests for information from clients. Why? Think about it.
Teaching Lessons: Students Rewrite the Rules of Professional Conduct in a Blank Slate
By Edward McIntyre
A good friend asked me to lecture to her business ethics class at San Diego State University, mostly juniors and seniors. During class, she would mark the 54 students on “participation,” so I quickly scrapped the “lecture” idea. Instead, the class at large — from scratch and without advance acquaintance with our Rules of Professional Conduct — would develop a set of ethics rules for a profession. Lawyers. In little more than an hour.
Excessive Deposition Delays Without Sufficient Justification Leads to Terminating Sanctions
By Carole J. Buckner
Creed-21 v. City of Wildomar, 2017 WL 5484032,provides salient reminders regarding complying with local rules, scheduling depositions and most importantly, complying with court orders to avoid sanctions. The case also implicates the ethical duty of competence in managing one’s schedule, even when emergencies may arise.
Amendments to California Evidence Code Will Require Attorneys Ensure Their Clients Understand that What Happens in Mediation, Stays in Mediation
By Andrew Servais
An amendment to the California Evidence Code on mediation confidentiality will require attorneys representing clients in connection with mediation to provide written disclosures to their clients about mediation confidentiality beginning January 1, 2019.
