Category Archives: Lawyer professionalism

Florida Supreme Court implements most rule revisions recommended by Special Committee for the Review of Professionalism in Florida

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert which will discuss the recent Florida Supreme Court opinion adopting most recommendations proposed by the Special Committee for the Review of Professionalism in Florida.  The July 6, 2023 Court order is here:  … Continue reading

Posted in 2023 Florida Supreme Court opinion professionalism and CLE, Florida Bar, Florida Bar ethics, Florida Bar Rules, Florida Lawyer CLE, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer professionalism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Texas lawyers arrested on conspiracy to commit murder charges in alleged plot to kill another lawyer

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert, which will discuss the recent arrest of two lawyers in Waco, Texas, on charges of felony conspiracy to commit capital murder in an alleged plot to kill another attorney. According to media … Continue reading

Posted in Attorney ethics, corsmeier, Criminal misconduct murder for hire, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer criminal misconduct murder for hire, Lawyer professionalism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

California Supreme Court adopts new Bar ethics rules which (mostly) follow the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert, which will discuss the California Supreme Court’s recent Order implementing new Bar ethics rules which are substantially patterned after the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.  The California Supreme Court Order approving … Continue reading

Posted in ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Attorney ethics, California adopts ABA Model Rules, California Bar Rules 2018, corsmeier, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer professionalism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

ABA Formal Opinion 480 addresses lawyer/client confidentiality obligations related to lawyer blogs and other public commentary

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert which will discuss ABA Formal Opinion 480, which was released on March 6, 2018 and addresses lawyer ethics and confidentiality obligations when engaging in blogging and other public commentary.  The ABA Formal … Continue reading

Posted in ABA opinion 480- confidentiality and lawyer blogs and other public commentary, ABA opinions, Attorney ethics, Attorney/client confidentiality, Confidential Information, Confidentiality, corsmeier, Ethics opinion lawyer blogging, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, lawyer blogs, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer ethics and social media, Lawyer ethics opinions, Lawyer professionalism, Lawyer violation of confidentiality on internet, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Florida lawyer who improperly advised clients regarding marijuana business resulting in their arrest and charged $799 for false marijuana card is disbarred

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert, which will discuss the recent Florida Supreme Court opinion disbarring a Florida lawyer who, inter alia, incompetently advised a client regarding a marijuana growing business and charged individuals $799.00 for a falsified … Continue reading

Posted in Attorney discipline, Attorney ethics, corsmeier, deceit, dishonesty, Florida Bar discipline, Florida Bar ethics, Florida Supreme Court, fraud, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer disbarment, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer false statements, Lawyer fraud, Lawyer misconduct marijuana advice incompetence and misrepresentation, Lawyer misrepresentation, lawyer negligence, Lawyer Professional Responsibility, Lawyer professionalism, Lawyer sanctions, negligence, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ethical issues and requirements for lawyers in compensating nonlawyer employees

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert which will discuss the ethical considerations for lawyers when compensating non-lawyer employees.  State Bar disciplinary rules, including Florida Bar Rule 4-5.4(a), prohibit lawyers from sharing legal fees with nonlawyers.  The Comment to … Continue reading

Posted in Attorney ethics, corsmeier, Ethics and nonlawyer compensation, Florida Bar ethics, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer ethics opinions, Lawyer professionalism, lawyer referral fees, Nonlawyer bonuses and pension plans, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida Bar will file petition with Florida Supreme Court with revisions to Rule 4-1.8(c) to prohibit soliciting any gifts from client to lawyer

Hello and welcome to this corrected Ethics Alert which will discuss the proposed revision to Florida Bar Rule 4-1.8(c), which would prohibit a lawyer from soliciting any gift from a client.  The BOG approved the rule amendments and the Bar … Continue reading

Posted in corsmeier, Florida Bar ethics, Florida Bar Rules, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer Professional Responsibility, Lawyer professionalism, Lawyer soliciting or accepting gifts, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Zealous representation or lawyer misconduct? Where does the Florida Supreme Court draw the line?

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert will discuss the lawyer’s duty to competently and zealously represent a client and the Florida Supreme Court decisions addressing when a lawyer’s conduct may cross the line and constitute misconduct and violate … Continue reading

Posted in Attorney discipline, Attorney disobey order of tribunal, Attorney disruptive conduct in litigation, Attorney ethics, corsmeier, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, Lawyer conduct that adversely reflects on fitness to practice, Lawyer disbarment, Lawyer disbarment for practicing while suspended, Lawyer disruption of tribunal, Lawyer Ethics, lawyer permanent disbarment, Lawyer practicing l;aw while suspended, Lawyer practicing without license, Lawyer Professional Responsibility, Lawyer professionalism, Lawyer sanctions, Lawyer sanctions disbarment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ABA issues formal ethics opinion addressing lawyer’s duties upon receipt of subpoena or other process for client confidential documents

Hello and welcome to this Ethics Alert blog which will discuss the recent American Bar Association Formal Opinion 473, which provides guidance to lawyers regarding ethical duties and obligations under the Model Rules upon receipt of a subpoena or other … Continue reading

Posted in ABA opinion lawyer's duties re receipt of subpoena for confidential documents information, ABA opinions, Attorney ethics, Attorney/client confidentiality, Attorney/client privilege, Communication with client, Confidential Information, Confidentiality, corsmeier, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer Professional Responsibility, Lawyer professionalism, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Florida Supreme Court rejects referee’s recommendation of public reprimand and suspends lawyer for 10 days for failing to appear at hearing

Hello everyone and welcome to this Ethics Alert which will discuss the recent Florida Supreme Court disciplinary opinion which rejected a referee’s recommendation of a public reprimand and suspended a lawyer for 10 days for failing to appear at a … Continue reading

Posted in Attorney discipline, Attorney ethics, corsmeier, Florida Bar discipline, Florida Bar ethics, joe corsmeier, joseph corsmeier, Lawyer conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, Lawyer discipline sanctions for failure to appear at hearing, Lawyer Ethics, Lawyer professionalism, Lawyer sanctions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment