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Ethics for New Associates: What an Unverified Filing Costs

One unverified filing can cost you a sanctions order, a bar referral, and a stayed suspension. Learn what your signature certifies under Rule 11, where Rule 5.2 stops protecting you, how sanctions become discipline, and how to bill AI-assisted work under ABA Formal Opinion 512.
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2026-11-19 14:30:00

David C. Carr

Law Office of David C. Carr

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Program Details

2026-11-19 14:30:00

2026-11-19 14:30:00

2h CLE Credits

2026-11-19 14:30:00

See credits by state

David C. Carr

Law Office of David C. Carr

View speakers

Program Details

2026-11-19 14:30:00

Program Details

2026-11-19 14:30:00

Over 1,000+ webinars

2026-11-19 14:30:00

Course Overview

A hallucinated citation now travels from the courtroom to the State Bar

2026-11-19 14:30:00

Courts have stopped treating AI-generated citations as research errors. California’s new Code of Civil Procedure §128.7(d)(2)(A), effective January 1, 2027, bars filing any citation the responsible attorney has not personally verified. New Business & Professions Code §6068.1 requires lawyers to verify generative AI output and disclose its use to the court.

Sign a brief with hallucinated citations and Rule 11 and 28 U.S.C. § 1927 sanctions follow. Draw a $1,000 sanction in California and the court must report you to the State Bar. In Noland v. Land of the Free (2025), a $10,000 sanction became a State Bar prosecution and a stayed suspension. Follow a partner’s instruction and Rule 5.2 offers no Nuremberg defense unless the question was arguable. Bill the hours AI saved you and ABA Formal Opinion 512 says you billed time you did not spend.

You leave with a practitioner’s checklist: what to verify before you sign, when Rule 5.2 protects you, and how a sanctions order reaches your bar. You also learn to write time entries that state their basis, communicate under Rule 1.4, and respond when a billing dispute arrives.

Format

CLE Credit

2h CLE Credits

Level

Intermediate

Length

2

Key topics that will be covered

01
What Your Signature Certifies
Under FRCP Rule 11, Code of Civil Procedure §128.7, and 28 U.S.C. § 1927, your name on a filing attests to its purpose, its law, and its facts regardless of who directed the work, and Rules 3.1 through 3.5 govern your candor to the tribunal.
02
Verification and AI Disclosure
New CCP §128.7(d)(2)(A), Bus. & Prof. Code §6068.1, and S.D. Cal. Bankruptcy General Order 210 now require personal verification of every citation and disclosure of generative AI use to the court.
03
Supervisor and Subordinate Duties
Rule 5.1 makes supervising lawyers culpable when they order, ratify, or fail to remedy a violation; Rule 5.2 leaves the subordinate responsible unless the subordinate followed a reasonable resolution of an arguable question.
04
From Sanctions to Discipline
Mandatory reporting under Bus. & Prof. Code §6068(o)(4) and §6087.7, voluntary federal referrals, and Noland v. Land of the Free show how a $10,000 sanction for hallucinated citations became a stayed suspension.
05
Communication and Fee Rules
Rules 1.4, 1.5, and 1.15 set the duties to inform the client, charge a reasonable fee, and account for client funds within 14 days, and they sit behind every billing decision an associate makes.
06
Billing and Associate Exposure
ABA Formal Opinions 93-379 and 512 require billing actual time, including AI-assisted work, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §6148(b) requires every bill to state its basis, and Rule 8.4(c) reaches an associate who knowingly sends a padded invoice.

Program schedule

clock 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm EST

Verification, Supervision, and How a Sanctions Order Becomes Bar Discipline

This session examines the personal filing obligations every new associate assumes the moment they sign a pleading, motion, or paper under FRCP Rule 11(b) and 28 U.S.C. § 1927, with particular focus on the AI-hallucination cases reshaping sanctions law in 2024–2025. Attorneys will learn how the supervisory framework under Model Rules 5.1 and 5.2 allocates responsibility between associates and supervising partners — and where the ‘I followed orders’ defense fails. The session closes by tracing the referral pipeline from a sanctions order to state bar discipline, including reciprocal discipline across jurisdictions, so new associates understand the full professional-life consequences of a single deficient filing.

David C. CarrDavid C. Carr
clock 3:40 pm - 4:40 pm EST

Client Communication and Billing Judgment: From the First Time Entry Through the Fee Dispute

This session teaches new associates the ethical framework governing client communication and legal billing from the moment they record their first time entry through the resolution of a fee dispute. Attorneys will learn how Model Rules 1.4, 1.5, and 1.15 apply to everyday billing decisions, which trigger grievances, how ABA Formal Opinion 512 (2024) changes the calculus for AI-assisted work, and how fee disputes escalate into discipline. Attendees leave with concrete practices for writing time entries, structuring client communications, and responding to billing complaints within firm procedures.

David C. CarrDavid C. Carr
David C. Carr

David C. Carr

Law Office of David C. Carr

David C. Carr

David C. Carr

Law Office of David C. Carr

David C. Carr is an ethics lawyer whose practice is State Bar discipline defense, legal ethics advice, attorney licensing, and ethics expert testimony. He spent twelve years at the State Bar of California as a staff attorney, Deputy Trial Counsel, and Assistant Chief Trial Counsel before moving to the defense side of the discipline system he once worked within.

Education & Credentials

He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 1986 and a B.A. in History from UCLA in 1977. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1986, the State Bar of Texas in 2022, and the State Bar of New Mexico in 2023, and is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Central (1986), Southern (2002), and Northern (2004) Districts of California.

Recognition & Leadership

He holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards awarded by fellow attorneys. He served as President of the Association of Discipline Defense Counsel from 2008 to 2011, and from 2018 to 2021 sat on COPRAC, the State Bar of California's Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, the body that issues California's formal ethics opinions. He has published more than twenty articles on legal ethics in the San Diego Daily Transcript, the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and San Diego County Bar Association publications, and has delivered more than twenty presentations to bar and professional groups on topics including client trust accounts, fee agreements, and technology in law practice. He also writes two long-running commentaries on California attorney discipline, the Kafkaesq blog and California Legal Ethics.

Professional Involvement

He is a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers and the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility and has served on the San Diego County Bar Association Legal Ethics Committee since 2002. He was an adjunct professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law from 2017 to 2021.

Experience

He began his career as a business and commercial litigator before joining the State Bar of California in 1989, where he spent twelve years as a staff attorney (1989), Deputy Trial Counsel (1992–1999), and Assistant Chief Trial Counsel and Manager in the discipline enforcement office (1999–2001), prosecuting and supervising attorney discipline cases. In 2001 he established the Law Office of David C. Carr, a practice devoted exclusively to legal ethics and State Bar matters and has since represented hundreds of California attorneys and bar applicants. He defends lawyers at every stage of the disciplinary process, from the initial State Bar inquiry through investigation and formal proceedings before the State Bar Court of California and the California Supreme Court and represents applicants in moral character and reinstatement matters before the Committee of Bar Examiners.
David C. Carr

David C. Carr

Law Office of David C. Carr

David C. Carr is an ethics lawyer whose practice is State Bar discipline defense, legal ethics advice, attorney licensing, and ethics expert testimony. He spent twelve years at the State Bar of California as a staff attorney, Deputy Trial Counsel, and Assistant Chief Trial Counsel before moving to the defense side of the discipline system he once worked within.

Education & Credentials

He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 1986 and a B.A. in History from UCLA in 1977. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1986, the State Bar of Texas in 2022, and the State Bar of New Mexico in 2023, and is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Central (1986), Southern (2002), and Northern (2004) Districts of California.

Recognition & Leadership

He holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards awarded by fellow attorneys. He served as President of the Association of Discipline Defense Counsel from 2008 to 2011, and from 2018 to 2021 sat on COPRAC, the State Bar of California's Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, the body that issues California's formal ethics opinions. He has published more than twenty articles on legal ethics in the San Diego Daily Transcript, the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and San Diego County Bar Association publications, and has delivered more than twenty presentations to bar and professional groups on topics including client trust accounts, fee agreements, and technology in law practice. He also writes two long-running commentaries on California attorney discipline, the Kafkaesq blog and California Legal Ethics.

Professional Involvement

He is a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers and the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility and has served on the San Diego County Bar Association Legal Ethics Committee since 2002. He was an adjunct professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law from 2017 to 2021.

Experience

He began his career as a business and commercial litigator before joining the State Bar of California in 1989, where he spent twelve years as a staff attorney (1989), Deputy Trial Counsel (1992–1999), and Assistant Chief Trial Counsel and Manager in the discipline enforcement office (1999–2001), prosecuting and supervising attorney discipline cases. In 2001 he established the Law Office of David C. Carr, a practice devoted exclusively to legal ethics and State Bar matters and has since represented hundreds of California attorneys and bar applicants. He defends lawyers at every stage of the disciplinary process, from the initial State Bar inquiry through investigation and formal proceedings before the State Bar Court of California and the California Supreme Court and represents applicants in moral character and reinstatement matters before the Committee of Bar Examiners.

Credits by state

AK2.0
AL2.0
AR2.0
AZ2.0
CA2.0
CO2.0
CT2.0
DC2.0
DE2.0
FL2.0
GA2.0
HI2.0
IA2.0
ID2.0
IL2.0
IN2.0
KS2.0
KY2.0
LA2.0
MA2.0
MD2.0
ME2.0
MI2.0
MN2.0
MO2.4
MS2.0
MT2.0
NC2.0
ND2.0
NE2.0
NH120.0
NJ2.0
NM2.0
NV2.0
NY2.0
OH2.0
OK2.5
OR2.0
PA2.0
RI2.5
SC2.0
SD2.0
TN2.0
TX2.0
UT2.0
VA2.0
VT2.0
WA2.0
WI2.0
WV2.4
WY2.0

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MCLE Credits

Alabama
Pending
2 Ethics
Alaska
Approved
2 Ethics
iOur programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Arizona
Approved
2 Professional Responsibility/Ethics
Arkansas
Approved
2 Ethics
California
Approved
2 Ethics
Colorado
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Connecticut
Approved
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Delaware
Pending
2 Enhanced Ethics
District of Columbia
No Required
2 CLE Hour(s)
Florida
Approved
2 Ethics Hours
iReceive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia
Pending
2 Ethics
Hawaii
Approved
2 Ethics or Professional Responsibility Education
Idaho
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Illinois
Pending
2 Ethics, Civility, Professionalism
Indiana
Pending
2 Ethics
Iowa
Pending
2 Ethics
Kansas
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Kentucky
Pending
2 Ethics
Louisiana
Pending
2 Ethics
Maine
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Maryland
No Required
2 CLE Hour(s)
Massachusetts
No Required
2 CLE Hour(s)
Michigan
No Required
2 CLE Hour(s)
Minnesota
Pending
2 Ethics
Mississippi
Pending
2 Ethics
Missouri
Approved
2.4 Ethics
Montana
Pending
2 Professional Fitness and Integrity
Nebraska
Pending
2 Professional Responsibility
imyLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
Nevada
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
New Hampshire
Approved
120 Ethics / Professionalism minutes
iAs of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey
Approved
2 Ethics / Professionalism
iOur programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico
Approved
2 Ethics / Professionalism
New York
Approved
2 Ethics / Professionalism
iOur programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
North Carolina
Pending
2 Ethics
North Dakota
Approved
2 Ethics
iOur programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Ohio
Pending
2 Professional Conduct
Oklahoma
Pending
2.5 Ethics / Professionalism
Oregon
Pending
2 Ethics
Pennsylvania
Approved
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Rhode Island
Pending
2.5 Ethics / Professionalism
South Carolina
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
South Dakota
No Required
2 CLE Hour(s)
Tennessee
Pending
2 Dual
Texas
Approved
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Utah
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism
Vermont
Approved
2 Ethics
Virginia
Not Eligible
2 Ethics / Professionalism Hours
Washington
Approved
2 Ethics Hours
iReceive CLE credit in Washington via attorney submission.
West Virginia
Pending
2.4 Ethics / Professionalism
Wisconsin
Pending
2 Ethics
Wyoming
Pending
2 Ethics / Professionalism

Alabama

Requirements

The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.  

Formats

  • Attorneys can earn unlimited “live” credit through live seminars, live webcasts, and co-sponsored locations with MyLAWCLE-Alabama approved programs
  • Attorneys are limited to 6 credits per compliance period of “online” programs through MyLAwCLE On-Demand programs