Broadcast Date: Thursday, May 07, 2020
from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (ET)
Overview:
Strict compliance with the Code of Professional Responsibility is an essential factor that lawyers need to consider to avoid reputational risks and/or professional discipline, which could include suspension from the practice or disbarment. However, with today’s evolving legal climate, along with the emergence of new rules, legal professionals are becoming more susceptible to a wide array of ethical risk issues. To avoid such risks, lawyers must be updated with latest issues and developments surrounding ethical rules. They must proactively develop effective ethical practices that are aligned with their obligation to uphold a high standard of integrity and accountability. Join a panel of key thought leaders organized by The Knowledge Group as they present an in-depth discussion of the best practices in ensuring lawyers’ compliance with ethics rules. Speakers will analyze significant compliance challenges and offer expert insights on how to navigate these difficulties in a rapidly changing legal landscape.
Some of the major topics that will be covered in this course are:
- Legal Ethics: Recent Trends and Developments
- Ethics in the Modern Age
- Common Ethical Issues
- Compliance Challenges
- Best Ethical Practices
Credit:
Course Level:
Intermediate
Advance Preparation:
Print and review course materials
Method of Presentation:
On-demand Webcast (CLE)
Prerequisite:
None
Course Code:
148702
NY Category of CLE Credit:
Ethics and Professionalism
Total Credits:
1.5 CLE
How to Claim CLE Credits Per State:
https://knowledgewebcasts.com/how-to-claim-cle-credits-per-state/
CLE State Requirements:
https://knowledgewebcasts.com/cle-state-requirements/
CPE State Requirements:
Speaker Panel:
Thomas J. Sansone, Partner
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
Tom Sansone concentrates his practice in civil litigation, particularly commercial, utility and insolvency litigation. He has tried more than 90 cases in Connecticut’s state and federal courts, as well as the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, and has argued before both the State Supreme and Appellate Courts. Much of his work involves complex banking issues, lender liability cases, contested foreclosure/collection matters and representation of creditors in bankruptcy proceedings.
From 2012 – 2018, Tom served on the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Statewide Grievance Committee. He is also currently serving as Chairman of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section. Mr. Sansone received his B.A., magna cum laude, from the Boston University College of Arts and Sciences, and his J.D. from the Boston University School of Law.
Deborah Winokur, Attorney
Cozen O'Connor
Deborah A. Winokur serves as Professional Responsibility Counsel and is a member of the Legal Profession Services Group at Cozen O’Connor. Deborah advises clients on risk management and ethical issues. Deborah is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School where she teaches professional responsibility. Deborah also handles pro bono representations, including representing clients through the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Campaign for Working Families Tax Clinic, Volunteers for the Indigent Program and Homeless Advocacy Project. Deborah is Co-Chair of the Professional Responsibility Committee and a member of the Professional Guidance Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association and conducts Continuing Legal Education seminars on risk management and ethics issues. Ms. Winokur is a 1999 graduate of the Columbia University School of Law, and a graduate, cum laude, of the University of Pennsylvania.
Sarah Sweeney, Attorney
Cozen O'Connor
Sarah A. Sweeney serves as Professional Responsibility Counsel and is a member of the Legal Profession Services Group at Cozen O’Connor. Sarah advises the firm’s attorneys on risk management and ethical issues, and works to ensure the firm’s compliance with all applicable rules of professional conduct. Sarah is a longtime member and current Co-Chair of the Professional Guidance Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association, which is tasked with providing advice concerning the interpretation, application and observance of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct. Sarah also regularly represents pro bono clients, primarily through the Support Center for Child Advocacy and Philly VIP.
Agenda:
SEGMENT 1:
Thomas J. Sansone, Partner
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
- Importance of retainer letters for defining scope of services and managing client expectations
- Protocol for maintaining client funds entrusted to lawyers (eg. IOLTA accounts)
- Communications pitfalls (eg., ambiguity of text messaging, failing to check messages, failure to utilize the Out-of-Office Assistant for e-mail)
- Declining or terminating representation: dos and don’ts
SEGMENT 2:
Deborah Winokur, Attorney
Cozen O'Connor
- Think twice before “replying to all” on communications with clients and represented clients;
- The expanding scope of “competence” – why lawyers have to continually understand the risks and benefits of technology and keep our minds and bodies “well”;
- Blogging about your case without talking about your client – ABA Opinion on attorneys’ use of publicly available information.
SEGMENT 3:
Sarah Sweeney, Attorney
Cozen O'Connor
- Scope or representation, reviewing letters of engagement
- Definition of a "client" Joint representation agreements and their language
Date & Time:
Thursday, May 07, 2020
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (ET)
Who Should Attend:
- Lawyers
- Legal Assistants
- Paralegals
- Law Office Managers
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