Topic: Government Employee Negotiating for Private Employment Digest: A lawyer serving as in-house counsel for a federal agency may not negotiate for private employment with an organization that is an adverse party in litigation before the agency where the lawyer is participating personally and substantially in the litigation. Rules: 1.0(l) & (n), 1.11 FACTS 1. … Continued

Topic: Law Firm Letterhead Digest: A law firm that has purchased a retired (and now deceased) lawyer’s practice may list on the purchasing law firm’s letterhead the name and dates of operation of the former law firm. Rules: 7.1(a), 7.5(a) FACTS 1. The inquiring lawyer is a member of a law firm with two offices. … Continued

Topic: Withdrawal from representation based on attorney health concerns Digest: An attorney may withdraw from representation, with the permission of the Immigration Court, based on fear of contracting COVID-19 as a result of in-person appearances in the proceeding, where such fear renders it difficult for the attorney to carry out the representation effectively. Rules: 1.0(w), … Continued

Topic: Legal fees Digest: A lawyer may charge a fixed fee for a matter as long as it is not excessive, and the lawyer specifies the services that are included in the engagement. The client must remain liable for costs, other than as permitted by Rule 1.8(e). The lawyer may require advance payment of fees, … Continued

Topic: Retired lawyers; referral fees Digest: A lawyer who received a referral of a contingency-fee wrongful death matter from a lawyer who later retired under the rules of the Office of Court Administration before the conclusion of the case may share the legal fee with the retired lawyer if the latter assumed joint responsibility for … Continued