Law Firm Defense Blog

Category: Uncategorized

Ethical Exits: ABA Formal Opinion 516, Permissive Withdrawal, and the Hot Potato Doctrine

04/04/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Most attorneys have encountered, at one point or another, challenging client situations that prompt consideration of withdrawal. Unlike the relative... Read More »

When the Lawyer Is the Victim: ABA’s New Guidance on Confidentiality and Client-Perpetrated Crimes

03/12/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

When a client turns from seeking your counsel to victimizing you or your staff, what ethical obligations still bind you?... Read More »

Wooden gavel resting on its end on a wooden table in front of an open law book conceptual of a judge or courtroom.

The Attorney – Client Relationship 101: Helpful Reminders Before, During and After Representation

02/03/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Navigating the attorney-client relationship can be like a carefully choreographed dance – requiring precision, awareness, and mutual respect to achieve... Read More »

Organizational Lawyers and the Organization/Constituent Divide: Five Takeaways from ABA Formal Opinion 514

01/14/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Formal Opinion 514, issued on January 8, 2025, provides guidance on the ethical responsibilities of... Read More »

In-Person Client Meetings and COVID-19

04/12/2021   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

A fellow attorney just circulated a poll to his friends asking, “Are you starting to meet with your clients in... Read More »

hands typing on a keyboard with the outline of a lock to signify security

Reminder of Attorneys’ Ethical Obligations When Practicing Remotely

04/24/2020   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

The Pennsylvania Bar Association recently issued an Opinion that gives some reminders of our ethical obligations as attorneys as we... Read More »

stock photo of handing over resignation letter

Departure is Such Sweet Sorrow: Leaving Your Law Firm

11/07/2019   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

You may have just been invited to leave your current firm to join a prestigious big firm. Or maybe you... Read More »

Two businessmen in are sitting the same boat try to move it in the different directions. Shows the conflict within the picture.

Bankruptcy Court Weighs in on Conflicts of Interest in Business Transactions

01/25/2019   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

A recent decision of the U.S. Bankruptcy for the District of Massachusetts in the adversary proceeding Cruikshank v. Dixon, in... Read More »

Close up of a male using a calculator to write down important information on paper.

Supreme Judicial Court limits use of in pari delicto defense

10/11/2018   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

In the recent case of Merrimack College v. KPMG, LLP (SJC-12434), the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court cut back on the... Read More »

A red paper cut out of two people holding hands is being cut at the hands that meet, which separates them.

How to Withdraw from Representation Ethically in Mass

05/16/2018   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

The saying goes, “Getting married is easy, getting divorced is complicated.” A similar sentiment applies once a lawyer has entered... Read More »

A wooden gavel, a justice scale, and books in focus with a blurry background.

Stormy and the lawyers: Ethics 101

04/16/2018   |   BY Thomas F. Maffei

The Stormy Daniels-Donald Trump story has political pundits abuzz with charges and countercharges. Who is telling the truth? Is Daniels... Read More »

Image of financial documents at workplace and businessmen discussing ideas near by with a close up on the graphs they are to discuss.

Who Can You Talk to Confidentially About a Client Dispute?

03/08/2018   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

A dispute has arisen between you and a client. You are not exactly sure how to handle the situation, so... Read More »