The Ethical Lawyer's Ten Commandments of Defensive Lawyering

Lawyers at every level of experience are subject to the same rules governing professional conduct. We are all expected to know these rules and to comply with them, and if we become the subject of an ethical investigation, grievance or complaint, the impact is usually profound. There are countless ways for a lawyer to get in ethical trouble, but perhaps only a dozen different acts or omissions constitute 98% of the charges actually filed. Drawing from his experience as a former Ethics Committee chair and as a legal ethics attorney, presenter Marc Garfinkle offers advice about the most common ethical pitfalls and how to avoid them. Couching ten of his caveats as divine imperative, Marc explains the Rules and the most common ways attorneys run afoul of them.

This fast-moving and humorous program is full of insights, suggestions, and warnings for lawyers in the modern legal environment. Suitable for experienced and new lawyers alike, the program is geared for the newer attorney and the attorney who is new at the business of lawyering.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the basics of insurance coverage, legal banking, and the importance of frequent communication with clients, court, and counsel
2. Build strategic relationships and grow your law practice
3. Recognize problematic clients and bad situations, and learn how to avoid them
4. Demystify the rules about conflicts of interest and use them to your advantage
5. Avoid getting in over your head or, if it's too late, learn how to get out safely

This course originally appeared as a part of our June 2019 Bridge the Gap Event.