ALAS Ltd.

ICYMI, IN issued two opinions on conflicts: IN Op 2-22 provides guidance on handling conflicts of interest in.gov/courts/discipl… and IN Op 3-22 addresses imputed conflicts under Rule 1.10 in.gov/courts/discipl…

The latest episode of The Portable Ethics Lawyer is now available. Listen to @davidjargiello, General Counsel of @VLPLawGroupLLP, discuss risk management and the virtual law firm. alas.com/public/podcast… or podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ris…

Risky business? VA Op 1898 says that if lawyers accept cryptocurrency as advance payment for services, they must satisfy Rule 1.8(a) & the fee must be reasonable under Rule 1.5. If holding cryptocurrency as an advance fee, they also must satisfy Rule 1.15. vsb.org/docs/LEO/1898.…

NJ Op 744 concludes that lawyers may use regulated cannabis and operate or invest in regulated cannabis businesses. njcourts.gov/notices/adviso… Other jurisdictions may vary, as CA Op 2020-202 does on the investment issue. calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/docu…

May lawyers charge a minimum fee for a defined legal service? NY Op 1245 says yes, if the service is performed as agreed; the engagement letter clearly describes how the fee is calculated & when it is incurred; & the fee is reasonable. nysba.org/ethics-opinion…

Has your client given you advance settlement authority? NYC Op 2022-2 reminds lawyers of the limitations on that authority. s3.amazonaws.com/documents.nycb…

ABA Op 503 warns of the risks when lawyers cc their clients on emails and texts to someone else's lawyer. americanbar.org/content/dam/ab…

Starting today, we're hosting a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference for ALAS firms in Chicago.

MI Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.19 took effect on Sep. 1. Learn what attorneys need to know about the new Lawyer-Client Representation Agreements regarding arbitration provisions & how it protects lawyers & clients when entering a legal agreement. michbar.org/journal/Detail…

@StateBarofGA My best advice for those who passed the GA bar: The ABA Model Rules are no longer the rules you must know and follow. Instead, GA lawyers must abide by the the GA Rules of Professional Conduct, which are different than the ABA Model Rules in several important ways. @JudgeDillard

The Ethics Committee at NHBA studies questions of lawyer ethics and publishes opinions, helpful advice, and practical information on ethical dilemmas. Discover information on ethics-related topics via our Ethics Database. nhbar.org/ethics-opinion… #ethics

ABA Op 502 clarifies that MRPC 4.2 – aka the no contact rule – applies to communications by pro se lawyer with represented persons. americanbar.org/content/dam/ab…

OH Op 2022-07 concludes that lawyers may hold cryptocurrency in escrow when related to a client representation or for a third party through a law-related business. H/t to Justin Fields of @DuaneMorrisLLP. ohioadvop.org/wp-content/upl…

Last month, we were delighted to connect with our members and guests at our first in-person London Forum since 2019. Many thanks to Jim Oulton @OultonJim & Tim Shepard of @Mayer_Brown, Joel Gujral of @myndup, & Martin Mankabady of @ESgloballaw for their informative presentations.

We're delighted to be hosting our biennial Firm Administration Conference in San Francisco this week.

Withdrawing OH Op 1992-7, OH Op 2022-03 provides guidance on Model Rule 4.2 -- aka the no-contact rule -- when communicating with government officials or employees. ohioadvop.org/wp-content/upl…

CA Proposed Op 20-0005 addresses conversion clauses in contingency fee agreements. calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/Our-M… Comments due Nov. 17.

Over dissent, NE Op 22-03 concludes that NE attorney may invest in a medical cannabis business in state where that business is legal; also addresses related questions. supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/…

Lawyers beware! Phishing attempts disguised as lawyer ethics complaint correspondence. Hadn't heard of this one until @J_Dot_J thankfully posted about it.