Ethics

A Two-Year Delay in Filing a Retention Application Resulted in Denial of Fees

Pittsburgh Bankruptcy Judge Gregory Taddonio says that lawyers must search in PACER before signing up a new client.

Contingency Planning, Risk-Reduction and Other Security Considerations

Madison Square: Court Limits Claims Agent's Services

Jan 2023

What Can the Remake of The Little Mermaid Teach Lawyers About Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?

Feb 2023

Two Circuits Now Require Refunds for Overpayment of U.S. Trustee Fees

The Second Circuit essentially reissued its original decision from last year by again requiring the U.S. Trustee to refund the overpayment of unconstitutional fees.

Intersection of Ethics and Technology

In Mass Tort Cases, New York Judge Permits Redactions of Creditors’ Names

One month apart, two judges in New York differed on the extent to which they permitted redactions of information about creditors, their identities and addresses.

Ethics and Our Personal Health: Where Worlds Collide

Jan 2023

Lessons in Reality: Five Ethical Takeaways from the Downfall of Girardi Keese

Thomas (“Tom”) Girardi, a former plaintiff’s attorney in Los Angeles, California, and the founder of the law firm Girardi & Keese (d/b/a Girardi Keese), was once known as the inspiration behind the film “Erin Brockovich” and for his high-profile representation of the families of victims of the Lion Air crash in 2018. Over the last two years, however, his career has served a different purpose — a case study in legal ethics.

Screening for Conflicts Is Particularly Important in Booming Lateral Market

Lateral movement among law firm partners and associates has boomed. In 2020, the number of associates moving firms was up 149% and the number of partners moving was up almost 43%. [1] In 2021, the number of lawyers switching firms was up 111% over 2020. [2] And the lateral market for bankruptcy lawyers is no stranger to the boom, despite bankruptcy filings having sat at record low numbers over the past few years. [3]