Session I – Avoiding Malpractice Claims and Ethics Grievances for Family Law lawyers – Edward X. Clinton, Jr.

The presentation, by a lawyer who handles legal malpractice claims and legal ethics matters arising out of family law cases, will discuss common ways to avoid adverse claims from clients or bar regulators. Clinton will discuss common risk management techniques: (a) client selection; (b) engagement letter; (c) prosecuting the client’s claims; (d) protecting yourself when the client makes an informed decision; (e) types of malpractice claims most commonly asserted; (f) types of ethics grievances that Bar regulators will take seriously. The goal is to keep the lawyer out of trouble or to curtail problems before they escalate.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Client selection
• Engagement letter
• Prosecuting the client’s claims
• Protecting yourself when the client makes an informed decision
• Types of malpractice claims most commonly asserted
• Types of ethics grievances that Bar regulators will take seriously

Session II – Ethical Mistakes Attorneys Commonly Make – Arthur J. Travieso

Mr. Travieso plans to discuss the most frequent ethical challenges that face an attorney on a daily basis, including trust accounting, conflicts checking, presentation of evidence, duties to client vs. duties to the court and how to successfully navigate these challenges.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Trust accounting and changes in the law
• Conflicts checking and waiver of conflicts
• Balancing duties to the client and court
• Dealing with a client who lies

Closed-captioning available