Before we start, here’s an old-fashioned challenge. “Old-fashioned” in the sense that you are not allowed to do any research or to ask for assistance. What is a Gestetner? Anyone who emails me the correct answer will receive a spot on the next #fiveforfriday Honor Roll in Legal Ethics. Last week on his LawSites blog, … Continue reading Ontario Court Addresses Tech Competence as a Tool to Increase Court Access.
The early days of this blog featured me harping on the duty of tech competence. Long-time readers might remember the refrain: competence includes tech competence. While they might not know it, two of my ethics gurus are Lucian Pera and Catherine Reach. I consider each a friend of this blog and am particularly thankful for … Continue reading Tech competence: do lawyers have a duty to follow the news?
When I created this blog, many early posts focused on technology. Long-time readers probably remember the mantra “competence includes tech competence.” Key points included: At some point, a basic understanding of technology that impacts client matters is required. Technology is always evolving. Even if you don’t know everything about a new technology, sometimes it helps … Continue reading Tech competence: don’t take the wrong message from this NJ decision declining to sanction a lawyer.
Around 1PM, it felt like (another) day without a blog post. Then, I went to lunch. My office is in downtown Burlington. Today, and despite the heat, I chose to walk to Beansie’s. Waiting for my cheeseburger topped with peppers & onions, I checked my email. There, I found the first of two stories to … Continue reading Tech Competence, Screen Sharing, and Client Confidences.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I love easing my way back into blogging with quick hitters. So, without further ado: Tip #1. During a remote hearing, whether angry at yourself, opposing counsel, the court, or a screen that’s blank, frozen, or otherwise not working properly, don’t “flip the bird” at your camera. Tip … Continue reading Tech Competence and . . . flipping the bird?
Last week I posted about the Florida Bar’s proposed advisory opinion that would authorize lawyers to accept payment for legal fees via mobile apps as long as they protect client confidences and safeguard clients funds. My post focused on the “client confidences” aspect of the proposed opinion. Today, I’ll address the “safeguard client funds” aspect. … Continue reading Safeguarding Client Funds: Tech Competence & Mobile Payment Apps.
Back when I blogged more often than I do now, I’d post about tech on Tuesdays. Today, I didn’t intend to blog. Alas, in the past hour, numerous readers have emailed or texted me the same story. Initially, it came from lawyers. Then, my friend Waskow texted me and my brother, with my brother replying, … Continue reading Tech Competence & Cats
Today’s post updates/revisits topics I’ve previously discussed: duties to clients when a lawyer leaves a firm. Tech competence: it’s been 16 years (!) since Zubulake. Arizona adopts significant regulatory reform. Duties to Clients when a Lawyer Leaves a Firm In September, I posted Leaving A Law Firm: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. The post highlights the … Continue reading Updates on Leaving a Firm, Tech Competence, and Regulatory Reform.
A few minutes ago, I finished HBO’s I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter. Directed by Erin Lee Carr, the two-part documentary delves into the relationship between teenagers Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy, and the involuntary manslaughter charge that was filed against Carter following Roy’s suicide. As a person, I found the documentary disturbing, … Continue reading I Love You, Now Die: what an HBO documentary can tell us about the duty of tech competence.
This blog was built on the idea that competence includes tech competence. As I’ve hammered home that point over the years, I’ve touched upon the ethics issues associated with web bugs. My most recent post on the issue is here: Don’t Let the Web Bugs Bite. It discusses an advisory opinion issued by the Illinois State … Continue reading Court Martials, Web Bugs, and Tech Competence
Ethical Grounds 