Category: professional conduct

Appointment to ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation

On By ProcopiolawIn legal ethics, professional conductLeave a comment

I am very pleased to learn that I have been appointed to the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Professional Regulation. The committee’s work is “developing, promoting, coordinating, and strengthening professional disciplinary and regulatory programs and procedures throughout the nation, including developing and promoting ABA activities relating to professional discipline, model rules for disciplinary enforcement …

Continue reading Appointment to ABA Standing Committee on Professional Regulation

Unauthorized Practice of Law Before the USPTO Results in Suspension

On By ProcopiolawIn legal ethics, professional conduct, unauthorized practice of lawLeave a comment

In the recent decision of Matter of Kley Achterhof, an attorney was suspended from practice before the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office in patent, trademark and other non-patent matters for a period of 18 months. The decision addressed the ability of an attorney who did not pass the patent registration exam to engage in …

Continue reading Unauthorized Practice of Law Before the USPTO Results in Suspension

Fee Sharing and Insurance Disclosure

On By ProcopiolawIn professional conductLeave a comment

Attorneys who enter into fee-sharing agreements must be sure that their agreements comply with the California Rules of Professional Conduct. A California court recently determined that a fee sharing agreement was invalid because one of the attorneys failed to disclose that he did not have professional liability insurance. Take a look at my article on …

Continue reading Fee Sharing and Insurance Disclosure

Beware: Recent Guidance on Online Lawyer Referral Services

On By ProcopiolawIn lawyer advertising, professional conductLeave a comment

By Procopio Partner and General Counsel Carole J. Buckner A recent appellate court opinion and an opinion from the San Diego County Bar Legal Ethics Committee provide guidance to attorneys regarding online lawyer referral services. In a word, beware. In Jackson v. Legal Match.com, 42 Cal.App.5th 760 (2019), the court found that the LegalMatch lawyer …

Continue reading Beware: Recent Guidance on Online Lawyer Referral Services