Attorney Ethics: Latest rules, trends, and best practices

Erin K. Higgins | Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP

Erin is a civil trial lawyer. During her 30 years of practice, she has focused on representing lawyers, insurance agents and brokers, and other types of professionals in defending against errors and omissions claims. She also represents lawyers in disciplinary matters, having recently completed a four-year term on the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, and advises lawyers on ethics issues.

Erin understands that for a professional, reputation is everything, and she will work towards a resolution that best protects that interest, whether that means an early and confidential settlement or a defense verdict from a jury. Erin speaks regularly on professional liability and ethics topics, and writes a regular column on ethics for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Erin co-chairs the firm’s Professional Liability group, and also serves as the firm’s Risk Management Partner.

Erin also handles business litigation and insurance coverage matters, and defends manufacturers against product liability claims. She is an experienced appellate advocate, having argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and the United States Court of Appeal for the First Circuit.

Michael J. Rossi | Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP

Mike is a partner in the firm’s litigation department. He draws upon his experience as a trial lawyer to help individuals, organizations, and businesses of all sizes resolve disputes.

Mike’s practice focuses on professional liability, business litigation, and employment matters. He regularly defends attorneys and other professionals in malpractice actions and disciplinary proceedings. His commercial litigation practice includes complex contract disputes, unfair business and trade practice claims, and insurance coverage matters. In particular, Mike represents clients in the alcoholic beverages industry in franchise litigation and licensing matters. Mike also has considerable experience representing employers in discrimination and retaliation claims, unfair competition disputes, and wage/hour matters.

Mike has successfully tried cases before judges, juries, and administrative agencies, and has argued appeals before the Supreme Judicial Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Mike is an active member of the Boston Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA), and was selected as a Fellow in the MBA’s inaugural Leadership Academy. He also serves on the City of Newton Zoning Board of Appeals and as a member of the Board of Directors of Stone Rehabilitation & Senior Living, a non-pro t residential care and skilled nursing facility in Newton.

I. The growing trend of allowing non-lawyers to own interests in law firms, and what the “regulatory sandbox” means for lawyers across the country | 1:00pm – 1:15pm

II. The rise of “aiding and abetting” claims brought by non-clients, how to avoid them, and how to defend against them once they are brought | 1:15pm – 1:30pm

III. The prevalence of remote work, and the exposure that remote work presents to lawyers who are charged with supervising the other lawyers with whom they work | 1:30pm – 1:45pm

IV. The current focus on lawyers who have been charged with filing frivolous lawsuits challenging election results, and how to balance a lawyer’s duty to advocate for clients with the lawyer’s duty to investigate under Fed. R. Civ. P. 11 | 1:45pm – 2:00pm