Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Commons^™

Almost Pro Bono: Judicial Appointments Of Attorneys In Juvenile And Child Dependency Actions, Barbara Glesner Fines

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Aristotle On Animals, Agency, And Voluntariness, Nancy E. Schauber

Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest

In this article, I propose a way of reading the text that has both interpretive and philosophical merits. It is a more straightforward and literal reading of the text, requiring less interpolation than alternative readings. It also attributes to Aristotle a theory of moral responsibility which is, if not correct, at least as worthy of attention as many of the contemporary theories under debate. My own view is that the objections raised miss their target not because they fail to voice legitimate concerns about an adequate theory of moral responsibility, but because what Aristotle offers in the text in question …

What I Think That I Have Learned About Legal Ethics, Richard H. Underwood

Law Faculty Scholarly Articles

In this short piece I want to say a few things that other academics teaching legal ethics may find disturbing. I say this because I believe that I may be swimming against the current academic fashion. Of course, it is possible that I do not have a very good handle on the current academic fashion. I hope I am not setting up a straw person to knock down, but I may be. If I am, I am sure someone will call me to task. What I am going to say is this: contrary to popular belief (among practitioners, at least) …

Symposium: Ethics 2000 And Beyond: Reform Or Professional Responsibility As Usual: Dedication, Ronald D. Rotunda, John E. Nowak

Faculty Publications & Other Works

No abstract provided.

Opening Remarks, Gary A. Munneke

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Interestingly, there is hardly any scholarship, and very little discussion, about the MacCrate Report outside of the clinical and skills programs in the traditional segments of legal education. I am not a clinician, although in the past I have taught courses in interviewing and counseling, and negotiations. I teach Law Practice Management and Professional Responsibility, which address professional skills and values; but I teach Torts as well, and my Torts colleagues, like teachers in other traditional subjects, really do not focus on these issues very much. So, one of the things I wanted to do with this symposium was to …

Multijurisdictional Practice Of Law: Recent Developments In The National Debate, Gary A. Munneke

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This Article will explore the development of multijurisdictional practice in the United States and abroad. Part III will discuss the positions taken by various participants in the current debate on multijurisdictional practice. Part IV will examine the actions of the American Bar Association House of Delegates in August 2002 and the implications of those actions for lawyers. Part V will conclude that MJP reform is critical to the future of the legal profession in the United States as a fundamental tool for American business to remain competitive in the globalized marketplace for goods and services.

Reinterpreting Professional Identity, Norman W. Spaulding

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Enron, Titanic, And The Perfect Storm, Nancy B. Rapoport

Scholarly Works

This article explores the contention of Jeffrey Skilling, former Enron CEO, that Enron's debacle was due to a perfect storm of events. It rejects his contention, arguing instead that Enron's downfall was more like Titanic's - hubris and an over-reliance on checks and balances led to Enron's downfall. The article then explores how character (especially of those at the top of an organization) can lead to Enron-like disasters, and discusses how cognitive dissonance can lead to very smart people making very stupid decisions. It ends with some musings about how lawyers can learn from Enron.

What Do Clients Want? A Client's Theory Of Professionalism, Leslie C. Griffin

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

"Up The Ladder" And Over: Regulating Securities Lawyers-Past, Present & Future, Theodore Sonde, F. Ryan Keith

Washington and Lee Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of Mjp, Irma S. Russell

Faculty Journal Articles & Other Writings

This article examines the ABA revision to Model Rules 5.5 and 8.5 in light of today's legal world where representing clients in states outside the lawyer's state of licensure is commonplace, particularly in areas of practice that involve federal law, such as environmental law, and clients with far-flung property or business transactions in numerous jurisdictions. The article notes that although the revision to these rules represents the first step in a necessary liberalization of ethical rules and statutes to permit competent lawyers to service client needs efficiently and encourages more uniformity of approach, the rules and UPL statutes still create …

Aristotle On Animals, Agency, And Voluntariness, Nancy E. Schauber

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

In this article, I propose a way of reading the text that has both interpretive and philosophical merits. It is a more straightforward and literal reading of the text, requiring less interpolation than alternative readings. It also attributes to Aristotle a theory of moral responsibility which is, if not correct, at least as worthy of attention as many of the contemporary theories under debate. My own view is that the objections raised miss their target not because they fail to voice legitimate concerns about an adequate theory of moral responsibility, but because what Aristotle offers in the text in question …

Should Klansmen Be Lawyers? Racism As An Ethical Barrier To The Legal Profession, Carla Pratt

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

An Overview Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act And Its Implications For Attorneys, Jeffrey W. Stempel

Scholarly Works

On July 30, 2002, President Bush signed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, H.R. 3763, well-publicized in the press as a legislative response to the perceived excesses of corporate America: Enron; WorldCom; Tyco; Global Crossing, etc.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 contains an array of provisions affecting lawyers as professionals serving businesses and contains one provision that will clearly impact corporate counsel in the ethical discharge of their duties. Section 307 of the Act and the recently released Proposed Roles of the Securities Exchange Commission regarding lawyer duties and implementation of Section 307 require counsel to go "up the ladder," to …

The Toxic Mold Terrifying Texas: Mold's Hold On The Insurance Industry., Sylvia Pena-Alfaro

St. Mary's Law Journal

It is imperative that more scientific research concerning the effects of mold be conducted to better understand the consequences of long-term exposure to mold. Because of home and building modifications to conserve energy, mold has been able to thrive. Reports of illnesses allegedly caused by mold exposure have increased. No scientific evidence, however, exists that conclusively links the illnesses to the effects of mold. Only a limited number of scientific studies exist showing just how harmful toxic mold can be, but there is disagreement as to whether the harmful effects of toxic mold can compromise the immune system to such …

Telemedicine In Texas: Solving The Problems Of Licensure, Privacy, And Reimbursement., Gilbert Eric Deleon

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Tactical Considerations In Defending Assigned Legal Malpractice Claims Essay., William D. Cobb Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

Every Texas lawyer with a legal malpractice defense docket should be aware of the Zuniga rule and its possible exceptions. Although the general rule in Texas is that causes of action are freely assignable, because of the ruling in Zuniga v. Groce, Locke & Hebdon, legal malpractice causes of action are unassignable. The Texas Supreme Court declined to hear the case with the notation “writ refused” essentially adopting the lower court’s opinion as its own. Nonetheless, the decision in Zuniga did not resolve the problem of the insolvent judgment debtor, nor did Zuniga purport to invalidate all agreements that dispose …

Iolta In The Balance: The Battle Of Legality And Morality Between Robin Hood And The Miser Recent Development., Katherine L. Smith

St. Mary's Law Journal

Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) programs recently survived a constitutional challenge. IOLTA programs require interest earned from trust accounts deposited with client money to fund legal services for the poor. Many states, including Texas, maintain a mandatory IOLTA program, requiring all lawyers who handle client funds to participate. Proponents of IOLTA argue it benefits civil justice. Opponents argue it is an unconstitutional taking in violation of the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Circuit held IOLTA accounts to be an unconstitutional taking of client property. The Ninth Circuit, however, found IOLTA accounts constitutional, holding that IOLTA accounts are not a taking …

Accountants' Accountability To Nonclients In Texas., Jessica P. Gomez

St. Mary's Law Journal

This Comment proposes that accountants be held liable to any foreseeable user of their work product to ensure the deterrence of negligence on their part. Currently, the three main common law theories concerning whether nonclients can sue accountants for negligence are: (1) the privity rule; (2) the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 552; and (3) the foreseeability standard. Many states follow the Restatement approach entitled “Information Negligently Supplied for the Guidance of Others.” Texas imposes liability on accountants but fails to extend protections to third parties who rely upon the accuracy of financial statements. Further, Texas liability does not expose …

Securities Law: Section 307 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: Irreconcilable Conflict With The Aba's Model Rules And The Oklahoma Rules Of Professional Conduct?, Jennifer Wheeler

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Legal And Professional Ethics: The Regulation Of Ancillaries And Law-Related Services Reaches Oklahoma, D. Kencade Babb

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Taking Ethical Discretion Seriously: Ethical Deliberation As Ethical Obligation, Samuel J. Levine

Scholarly Works

This Article builds on and responds to the work of a number of leading ethics scholars who have offered alternatives to the prevailing model of legal ethics. Specifically, the Article proposes a "Deliberative Model," which posits that the lawyer's professional responsibility carries with it a duty on the individual lawyer to exercise discretion through consideration of the relevant ethical issues. Thus, the Article takes seriously the principle of ethical discretion, respecting the role of individual ethical decision-making but requiring that such decision-making be carried out through a justifiable process of ethical deliberation.

Criminal Neglect: Indigent Defense From A Legal Ethics Perspective Ethics Symposium What Do Clients Want: Practice Contexts, Bruce A. Green

Faculty Scholarship

Most criminal defendants in the United States cannot afford to pay for a lawyer's services, and as a result their lawyers are government funded. Unfortunately, some state and local governments drastically under-fund indigent defense services. Criminal defense lawyers serving in these jurisdictions typically carry grossly excessive caseloads and are therefore severely restricted in how much time they can devote to individual clients. Commentators have targeted the under-funding of indigent defense systems as a problem of criminal justice, constitutional law, and civil rights. That is certainly true, but the under-funding of indigent defense also raises a serious and inadequately recognized problem …

A Sanist Will?, Pamela R. Champine

NYLS Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Review Of A College Education's Effect On Law Enforcement Officers Relating To Internal Affairs Complaints, Bill Griffin

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this research is to determine if a relationship exists between higher education levels and misconduct allegations for Deputy Sheriffs. Official documentation from 128 internal affairs reports were collected from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Significant relationships were found to exist between higher education levels and the misconduct allegations. While some college exposure may be beneficial for job performance, a four-year degree may not yield the desired results.

It Is Not So Simply Because An Expert Says It Is So: The Reliability Of Gang Expert Testimony Regarding Membership In Criminal Street Gangs: Pushing The Limits Of Texas Rule Of Evidence 702., Placido G. Gomez

St. Mary's Law Journal

The mechanisms developed by the criminal justice system addressing the criminal activities of street gangs, for the most part, have proved ineffective. The evolution of gangs, their complex structure, and multipurpose focus keep them one step ahead of law enforcement. The most recent weapon created to fight the war on gangs, the civil injunction, suffers from numerous inadequacies. One concern is that civil injunctions raise numerous constitutional concerns. Another is that these injunctions fall short of constitutional demands. Furthermore, the practical implementation of the injunction forces an analysis of the reliability of the gang expert’s testimony. This Article proposes courts …

Lawyer Ethics On The Lunar Landscape Of Asbestos Litigation, Roger C. Cramton

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Deception In Morality And Law, Larry Alexander, Emily Sherwin

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Conflicts Of Interest Under The Revised Model Rules, W. Bradley Wendel

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ethical Versus Procedural Approaches To Civility: Why Ethics 2000 Should Have Adopted A Civility Rule, Christopher J. Piazzola

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.