Topic: Ownership of New York Law Firm by Nonlawyers Digest: A New York lawyer may not be a partner, associate or employee of a law firm in New York or in another jurisdiction that has direct or indirect ownership by nonlawyers in accordance with the rules applicable in that jurisdiction, unless the lawyer is licensed … Continued
Topic: Law firm associates and the phrase “and Associates” in law firm name Digest: A sole practitioner may not refer to associates of other law firms with whom she works as “associates” of her firm and may not include in her law firm name the phrase “and Associates” when she is referring to associates employed … Continued
Topic: Attorney advertising Digest: A lawyer who contacts a medical fertility clinic to request to be included on the clinic’s website as a lawyer who practices in the area of assisted reproduction is engaged in attorney advertising, but not solicitation. Rules: 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 FACTS: 1. The inquiring lawyer would like to contact a medical … Continued
Topic: Estate-planning lawyer’s financial interest in a company that manages trust assets. Digest: An estate-planning lawyer who has an interest in a nonlegal financial management company that the lawyer hopes to recommend to estate-planning clients as financial manager for the trust assets, has a conflict of interest requiring clients’ informed consent, confirmed in writing, at … Continued
Topic: Firm names; trade names Digest: A law firm may not include on its letterhead the name of deceased attorney who does not stand in a continuing line of succession with the firm. Rules: 7.5(a) & (b); 8.4(c). FACTS: 1. The inquirer is a solo practitioner who, for sentimental reasons, would like to include his … Continued
Topic: Lawyer’s Rights and Duties after Death of a Client Digest: A lawyer may not settle a claim for a client after the client has died absent authorization from a duly qualified representative of the decedent. Rules: 1.2(a), 1.16(d) FACTS: 1. The inquirer is a New York lawyer who practices personal injury law in New … Continued
Topic: Submitting draft complaint with demand letter Digest: A lawyer who sends a demand letter to a potential civil defendant may include a draft complaint and a statement that the draft complaint will be filed if the matter is not settled by a certain date, except in unusual circumstances where the threat would violate the … Continued
Topic: Advertising, solicitation, targeted email to prospective clients Digest: Email communication from out-of-state law firm to a list of specific individuals in New York, seeking clients for future false advertising and products liability class actions, is both an advertisement and a solicitation under Rules 7.1 and 7.3 of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct. … Continued
Topic: Use of Domain Name Different from Name of Law Firm Digest: An attorney may use a domain name that differs from the name of the law firm under which the attorney practices, provided the domain name and law firm name, separately or combined, are not false, deceptive, or misleading. Rules: 7.5(b) (1) FACTS: 1. … Continued
Topic: Counseling clients engaged in recreational marijuana business; accepting partial ownership of recreational marijuana business in lieu of fee; personal use of recreational marijuana. Digest: In light of current federal enforcement policy, the New York Rules of Professional Conduct permit a lawyer to assist a client in conduct designed to comply with New York’s Recreational … Continued