Your Law Firm Has Lawyers Working Remotely. Where, exactly?
Many California law firms now have lawyers working remotely. If not managed properly, that can create issues under the Rules of Professional Conduct. Firms should identify and manage these issues, as outlined in Formal Opinion Interim No. 20-0004 issued by the State Bar of California’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC). If your firm […]
Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act: A Guide for U.S. Businesses
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) brings significant changes for businesses across the United States, introducing new compliance requirements and deadlines. Now, many U.S. companies must disclose detailed information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This law is part of a broader effort to curb financial crimes like money laundering and […]
Rule 1.1 – Competence: An Overview
Rule 1.1 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct emphasizes the fundamental duty of lawyers to provide competent legal representation. Competence is defined as having the necessary legal knowledge, skills, and mental, emotional, and physical capacity to effectively perform legal services. Lawyers must avoid intentionally, recklessly, or repeatedly failing to meet this standard. If a […]
Should Non-lawyers be Permitted to Own Law Firms?
In December, the Future of Lawyering Subcommittee of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL) issued its “Report Regarding Proposed Revisions to ABA Model Rule 5.4,” entering the intense debate over non-lawyer ownership and fee sharing.
Notice Anything? How to Handle Law Firm Notice Provisions for Departing Partners
Navigating notice provisions in a law firm partnership agreement is one of the thorniest parts of managing any partner or group departure. How a lawyer handles notice to their law firm can lead to dramatically different outcomes for their clients and themselves.
Law Firm Resolutions for a Happy New Year
Now that your personal New Year’s resolutions are kaput, February is a good time to consider some resolutions for your law practice that will lead to a happier and healthier law firm. Like most resolutions, these are things that you want to do, and probably know that you should do, but may have been avoiding or just haven’t yet gotten done.
Every Lawyer Should Access Legal Ethics Guidance for Generative AI
The legal world has been awash in headlines about the use and implications of generative AI, or artificial intelligence. Recent incidents involving the use of generative AI in court submissions
Does Your Law Firm Have New Reporting Requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act?
The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), effective January 1, 2024, includes new potential reporting requirements and rules for California law firms and for their clients. In general, the CTA is a new federal reporting requirement for companies to provide Beneficial Ownership Information (“BOI”)—the individuals who ultimately own or control the company— and “company applicants”—the individual who […]
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