89!
Regular readers – what did you guess I’d use as my “89” reference?
· The fact that it’s one of Vermont’s interstates? Terrible guess. Horribly wrong.
· The fact that it’s a Fibonacci number? Good guess. Still wrong.
No more guesses! For 89, I’m using a musical reference and, in the process, making a confession:
I’m a Swiftie.
For those of you who haven’t fallen out of your chairs and are still reading, that means that I’m a big (and now unabashed) fan of Taylor Swift. The connection to this post is her album (and birth year) 1989.
I first learned of T-Swizz in 2007. My friend Jenny (from the block) and I went to the Champlain Valley Fair to see Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, and someone named Taylor Swift. Paisley was a superstar, Pickler had a #1 album, and I’d never heard of Swift. The only thing I knew about her was that she was scheduled to open.
Open she did. To state the obvious, when the concert closed, Jenny (from the block) and I walked out singing about how much we hated “that stupid ol’ pickup truck that he never let me drive……” The rest is history.
And the history inclues legal ethics.
I’ve used one of Swift’s songs at several CLE seminars. I often speak on the importance of choosing clients wisely & managing client expectations. When I do, I mention that there are 3 clients whose expectations can be difficult to manage:
1. The Blondie client (“Call Me“)
2. The Sinatra client (“My Way“)
3. The Swift client (“Blank Space“)
The first two references speak for themselves. However, I usually have to explain the reference to “the Swift client.” (Young lawyers! Please! Assert yourselves at the next seminar!)
“Blank Space” is a song off 1989. It tells the story of a budding romance in which Swift warns a new (& soon-to-be former) suitor that the relationship quickly will devolve, lilely in a manner similar to the devolution of prior relationships. The lyrics include:
“I’ve gotta a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane, but I’ve got a blank space baby, and I’ll write your name.”
In my seminars, I tell lawyers that “the Swift client” is the client who comes to them after having burned through 3 or 4 prior attorneys. As I put it, the “Swift client” has:
“a long list of ex-lawyers, they’ll tell you I’m insane, but I’ve got a blank space baby and I’ll write your name.”
And you know what the “blank space” is? It’s the space on a disciplinary complaint where the Swift client will write the new (& soon-to-be former) lawyer’s name once the relationship quickly devolves in a manner similar to the client’s relationships with prior attorneys.
Don’t believe me? Conjure up the memory of the promising client who turned into one of the most difficult clients you’ve ever had to manage . . . then watch the video and listen to the lyrics.
Sometimes the prospective client who looks like your next mistake . . . is.
Don’t say I didn’t say I didn’t warn ya.
T: I promise I’ll never blog about Katy Perry!
Now, in honor of Tom Petty, Damn the Torpedoes and onto the quiz!
Rules
- None. Open book, open search engine, text-a-friend.
- Exception: Question 5. We try to play that one honest.
- Unless stated otherwise, the Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct apply.
- Team entries welcome, creative team names even more welcome.
- E-mail answers to michael.kennedy@vermont.gov
- I’ll post the answers & Honor Roll on Monday.
- Please don’t use the “comment” feature to post your answers.
- Please consider sharing the quiz with friends & colleagues.
- Please consider sharing the quiz on social media with the hashtag #fiveforfriday
Question 1 – American Girl;
“Well she was an American girl
Raised on promises . . .”
Later, the American girl became a lawyer and is admitted to practice in Vermont. By rule, she has essentially promised:
· A. Not to disclose information related to the representation of her clients.
· B. Not to disclose information related to the representation of her clients, unless the information is a matter of public record.
· C. Not to disclose information related to the representation of her clients, unless the information falls outside the attorney-client privilege.
· D. Not to disclose her clients confidences and secrets.
Question 2 – Refugee
Lawyer represents Client in a civil matter. Trial is scheduled for next week. Most of Lawyer’s strategy sessions with Client have focused on Witness. Lawyer plans to have Witness testify and offer evidence in support of Client’s claim.
Yesterday, Client said to Lawyer:
“We got somethin’, we both know it, we don’t talk too much about it
Ain’t no real big secret, all the same, somehow we get around it
Oh listen, it don’t really matter to me, baby
You believe what you wanna believe.”
Lawyer was somewhat confused, but, having thought about it, thinks that Client might have convinced Witness to offer false evidence. Which is most accurate?
· A. If Lawyer reasonably believes that Witness will offer false evidence, Lawyer may refuse to offer Witness’s testimony.
· B. Lawyer must offer Witness’s testimony.
· C. Lawyer must not offer Witness’s testimony.
· D. Lawyer must withdraw.
Question 3 – Don’t Do Me Like That; Jammin’ Me
This is a different case than in Question 2.
Attorney informs Client that Attorney intends to file a motion to withdraw. Client responds:
“Don’t do me like that
Don’t do me like that
Someday I might need you baby
Don’t do me like that!”
Attorney replies “the ethics rules require me to withdraw.” Client retorts:
“You’re jammin’ me, you’re jammin’ me
Quit jammin’ me
Baby you can keep me painted in a corner
You can walk away but it’s not over.”
Assuming that Attorney is correct and that withdrawal is mandatory, which of the following will Attorney be most likely to cite in the motion?
· A. Client has failed substantially to comply with the terms of the fee agreement.
· B. Attorney has discovered a non-waivable conflict of interest with a former client.
· C. The representation has been rendered unreasonably difficult by Client.
· D. Client insists on taking a course of action that Attorney considers repugnant.
Question 4 – Runnin’ Down A Dream
Continuing the scenario from the previous question, Attorney filed the motion to withdraw. As it remained pending, stress & anxiety bedeviled Client. Then, the court granted the motion. Shortly thereafter, Client contacted the VBA’s Lawyer Referral Service and received a list of potential new lawyers. Uplifted, Client called Attorney to schedule an appointment to pick up the file. Client said:
“I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There’s something good waitin’ down this road
I’m pickin’ up whatever’s mine.”
When Client arrives, Vermont’s rule specifically requires Attorney to:
· A. Keep a copy of Client’s file.
· B. Surrender Papers & Property to which Client is entitled.
· C. A, B, and refund any unearned fee.
· D. B and refund any unearned fee.
Question 5 – Free Fallin’
Continuing the scenario . . . Client followed through on her statement that Attorney could walk away, but it’s not over. Before runnin’ down her dream elsewhere, Client posted a negative online review about Attorney, sued Attorney for malpractice, and filed a disciplinary complaint against Attorney.
Attorney is prepared to respond/defend by saying:
“She’s a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America too
She’s a good girl, crazy ’bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend tooIt’s a long day livin’ in Reseda
There’s a freeway runnin’ through the yard
And I’m a bad boy, ’cause I don’t even miss her
I’m a bad boy for breakin’ her heart”
Assume the information in the response is true. Attorney would likely violate the rules by:
· A. Posting the information online, in response to the negative review.
· B. Incorporating the response into the defense of the malpractice complaint.
· C. Incorporating the response into his answer to the disciplinary complaint.
· D. None of the above. No matter the forum, Client put the representation in issue.
Ethical Grounds 