Past Issues of The Legal Professional

Professional Obligations When Outsourcing Legal and Nonlegal Support Services
Professional Responsibility Pointer #15
October 2008
Ethical considerations when a law firm or legal department chooses to outsource tasks.

Considerations for Defending Grievances Alleging Professional Misconduct
Professional Responsibility Pointer #14
September 2008
Given the inevitability of grievances and the career-threatening angst they bring about, it is helpful to periodically review what lawyers should do if they receive a letter of inquiry from a bar grievance committee or the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Conflicts of Interest of Lawyers Serving on Boards of Directors
Professional Responsibility Pointer #13
August 2008
A lawyer serving on the board of directors of a corporation is burdened with potential conflicts of interest.

Properly Establishing or Modifying Your Law Firm's Web Site
Professional Responsibility Pointer #12
July 2008
Considerations in establishing a law firm web site to avoid creating unwanted client-lawyer relationships and impermissible advertising or solicitation.

Limiting the Scope of Representation on New Client Matter to Avoid “Former Client Conflict”
Professional Responsibility Pointer #11
June 2008
Discussion of the possibility of handling a matter adverse to a past client by limiting the scope of representation

“Of Counsel” Must Have On-Going Affiliation With Firm
Professional Responsibility Pointer #10
May 2008
Elements of a valid "of counsel" relationship with a law firm.

Ethical Considerations for Lawyers' Protection Letters
Professional Responsibility Pointer #9
April 2008
Whether a lawyer has an ethical obligation to honor “protection letters” sent by the lawyer to creditors of a client when the client instructs the lawyer not to pay the creditor.

Constructing Written Conflict of Interest Waivers For Multiple Representation In Litigation
Professional Responsibility Pointer #8
February 2008
Discussion of conflicts of interest when a lawyer takes on the representation of multiple clients in the same litigation matter.

The Attorney-Client Privilege in Bad Faith Insurance Litigation
Professional Responsibility Pointer #7
January 2008
Discussion of the extent of the attorney-client privilege in bad faith insurance litigation cases.

Rectifying Client Fraud
Professional Responsibility Pointer #6
December 2007
Responding to situations in which a client has offered false evidence or is engaged in ongoing illegal or fraudulent acts.

Managing Conflicts of Interest by Government Lawyers
Professional Responsibility Pointer #5
November 2007
Discussion of Opinion 2007-4 of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline on determining whether a conflict of interest exists between or among a city, city officials, or city entities and whether representation may be provided to each by assistant city law directors employed in the law director’s office.

Regulation of “Personalized” Direct Mail to Business Clients
Professional Responsibility Pointer #4
October 2007
Discussion of Opinion 2007-5 of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline on whether a lawyer’s advertising of legal services through a personalized letter constitutes direct mail solicitation subject to the requirements of Rule 7.3(c).

Metadata Ethics
Professional Responsibility Pointer #3
September 2007
Discussion of ethical concerns arising from lawyers' use of documents containing electronically embedded information, commonly referred to as “metadata”.

Duty to Obtain Written Conflict of Interest Waivers
Professional Responsibility Pointer #2
August 2007
Summary of Ohio Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7 requiring Ohio lawyers to secure written confirmation of their clients’ waivers of conflicts of interest.