Staying on the Right Side of the Ethics Line
CD of Teleconference with Q&A
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Conducted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Now available on CD |
in states where teleconferences are accredited.
Websites, the Internet and email have emerged as preferred communication and marketing tools for attorneys and law firms, and blogs are a popular way for attorneys to exchange ideas. Online networking is becoming increasingly popular among attorneys seeking new business.
However, attorneys who use online communications with clients and potential clients face serious ethical risks. There are few guidelines for attorneys by the courts and state bar associations.
How are the courts and state bar ethics committees approaching the ethical concerns triggered by websites, blogs and social networking sites? Do traditional rules regarding lawyer advertising apply? Do law blogs qualify as political speech? If so, can states still regulate them as commercial speech?
Listen as our panel of attorneys, who are well versed in attorney ethics, discusses how various courts and state bar associations are dealing with attorney websites, blogs and social networking sites, and the regulatory future and ethical guidelines for client and prospective client communications via websites and blogs.
The panel included:
John Steele, Ethics and Conflicts Director and Special Counsel, Fish & Richardson, Silicon Valley, Calif. He is responsible for conflicts of interest and ethics particular to IP law practice. He is a lecturer in legal ethics at Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California–Berkeley.
Brett Trout, Law Offices Of Brett J. Trout, Des Moines, Iowa. He represents clients in IP and information technology issues. He is the former President of the Iowa Intellectual Property Association and author of the book, "Internet Laws Affecting Your Company".
Diane Karpman, Partner, Karpman & Associates, Los Angeles. She defends lawyers in attorney discipline and regulatory proceedings before the state bar and in court. She is frequently retained as an expert witness in legal malpractice actions.
The panel reviewed these and other key questions:
- What are some of the key ethical concerns for attorneys who use websites, blogs and social networking sites to communicate with clients and prospective clients?
- How are the courts and state bar associations currently handling charges of ethics violations involving attorney use of the Internet and email?
- How can attorneys protect their clients’ privacy rights and attorney–client privilege in online communications?
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TELECONFERENCE CD
Purchase a CD-ROM of the full conference proceedings, including Q&A and PDF files of all handouts (available 10 days after the program).
- Regular Price - $297 (plus $9.45 S&H)
- With Teleconference Registration – an additional $75 (plus $9.45 S&H)
CLE credit is available for an additional $65 each for attorneys seeking CLE credits for NY or CT. Other states may grant CLE credits for listening to this CD - check with your state about applying for self-study credit on CD-listening.