Program Details
2025-08-27 13:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2025-08-27 13:00:00
1.5h CLE Credits
Intermediate
1.5
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm ESTThis session examines the process of client disappearance and the various factors that contribute to it. Topics include emotional and psychological factors, financial concerns, client characteristics, and special circumstances such as immigration detention or client death.
Brian S. Faughnan
Tim Chinaris
Merri Baldwin 1:15 pm - 1:30 pm ESTExplore the critical ethical obligations attorneys face when clients in active litigation become unreachable, with particular focus on deceased clients. Learn why misrepresentation about client status leads to severe discipline and how to properly handle these challenging situations.
Brian S. FaughnanTim ChinarisMerri Baldwin 1:30 pm - 1:45 pm ESTThis session addresses the unique challenges of transactional matters when clients disappear, including trust account obligations for funds held on behalf of unreachable clients. Discover modern approaches to handling unidentified funds and state-specific ethics requirements.
Brian S. FaughnanTim ChinarisMerri Baldwin 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm ESTExamine the statute of limitations dilemma and authority issues that arise when clients disappear then resurface. Learn from case studies about post-filing obligations and the limits of advance settlement authorizations.
Brian S. FaughnanTim ChinarisMerri Baldwin 2:10 pm - 2:40 pm ESTThis comprehensive session covers practical measures attorneys should implement to prevent client disappearance and respond effectively when it occurs. Topics include intake best practices, communication proxies, ongoing contact policies, search requirements, and proper withdrawal procedures under Rule 1.16.
Brian S. FaughnanTim ChinarisMerri BaldwinBrian S. Faughnan is a sole practitioner specializing in legal ethics, professional responsibility, business litigation, and appellate litigation. His practice focuses on solving problems for lawyers, including disciplinary matters, professional liability issues, and bar admission applications.
Tim Chinaris is Professor Emeritus of Law specializing in legal ethics and professional responsibility. He is now in full-time law practice representing lawyers in ethics matters and serving as an expert witness in professional responsibility cases.
Merri Baldwin is a shareholder focusing on attorney liability, commercial litigation, legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and counseling lawyers and law firms on legal ethics and law practice management issues.
Brian S. Faughnan is a sole practitioner specializing in legal ethics, professional responsibility, business litigation, and appellate litigation. His practice focuses on solving problems for lawyers, including disciplinary matters, professional liability issues, and bar admission applications.
Tim Chinaris is Professor Emeritus of Law specializing in legal ethics and professional responsibility. He is now in full-time law practice representing lawyers in ethics matters and serving as an expert witness in professional responsibility cases.
Merri Baldwin is a shareholder focusing on attorney liability, commercial litigation, legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and counseling lawyers and law firms on legal ethics and law practice management issues.
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
