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Index of Opinions by Topic

Index of Opinions by Number

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Index of Professional Ethics Opinions

The new Maine Rules of Professional Conduct have been promulgated by the Court effective August 1, 2009. Nevertheless, please note that Opinions #1 - #197 still remain in effect as written concerning the then applicable portions of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

 


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Academic Degree [Top]
  Doctor, use of title
  Professional titles, use with J.D.
 
Accountants [Top]
  Partnerships with attorneys, formation of
     
Acquiring Interest in Litigation See Conflict
of Interest. [Top]
 
Advertising [Top]
  Advertised flat fees, departure from
  Business entities, purchase of documents prepared by
  Consulting services, attorney as shareholder of nonprofessional corporation
  Escrow agent, law firm as
  Firm Names
 
    "Of counsel"
    Deceased partner's name, retention of
    Public official's name, retention of, former firm member
    Suspended attorney's name, retention of
  Law associates, informal partnerships, use of expression
  Law lists or directories, national networks, membership in
  Letterhead - Corporate
 
    Stockholders, use of title "Esq."
  Law firms, names of
 
    Deceased partner's name, retention of
    Former member's name, retention of
    Law associates, use of term
    Non-lawyer's name, listing of
    Suspended attorney's name, retention of
  Marketing organization, private consultations obtained by, compensation to
  Mediation service, divorce
  Professional titles, use with J.D.
  Public communications, solicitation of employment by
 
    Letter to individual
    Newsletter
    Newspaper, personal injury cases
  Referral service
 
    Attorney operated
    Maine Lawyer Referral Service
    Web site referral service, participation in
    Specialist, use of term
     Title companies, law firms as, listing of
       
Advisory Opinions [Top]
  Professional Ethics Commission, jurisdiction
 
Affidavits. See also Conflict of Interest, Witnesses,
Withdrawal [Top]
  Attorney, field by
 
Appearance of Impropriety. See also Conflict
of Interest. [Top]
  Assistant District Attorney  
    Representation of criminal defendant by firm of
    Representation of criminal defendant, spousal relationship with
    Former clients, representation against
    Limiting representation, pro se clients
Public office, lawyer on municipal planning Board
  Public officials, association with litigation against city agencies and employees
 
 Associates. See also Partnerships. [Top]
  Accountants, partnerships with attorneys
  Divorce cases, interest conflicts within firm
  Employment agreement, noncompetition clause
  Law associates, informal partnerships, use of expression
 
Attorney General See also Prosecutors. [Top]
  Entry into private firm, firm disqualification
 

Written consent from, when required

 
Attorney-Client Privilege. See Confidentiality. [Top]
 
ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. See also Client Files.
Client Files. Client Funds. Commencement of Representation.
Communications. Confidentiality. Conflict of Interest. Fees.
Termination of Representation. Withdrawal. [Top]
  Conduct giving rise to
  Confidences and secrets, prospective clients
Deceased client, confidential information requested by Personal Representative
  Insurance company and insured, representation of
  Mediator, attorney as
  Office of Advocacy, lawyer and non-lawyer advocates.
  Pro se
 
    Limited representation, attorney drafted complaint
    Volunteer Lawyers Project
 
Banks. See also Client Funds. [Top]
  Security arrangements, accounts receivable,
disclosure of client information
  Title searches, representation of bank and borrower
 
Class Actions [Top]
  "Superfund" litigation, propriety of multiple representation
  Government agencies, filing against and payment received from
  Statutory fees collected from adverse party, pre-settlement negotiations
 
Clerks. See Law Clerks [Top]
 
Client Confidences. See Confidentiality. [Top]
 
Client Files [Top]
Deceased client, confidential information requested by Personal Representative
  Delivery
 
    File contents that the client is entitled to receive
    Termination of employment
  Disposition
 
    Closed file
    Deceased or disabled lawyer
    Delivering the file at the client's request
  Liens, conditions placed on furnishing files
  Storage
 
File/data delivered to third-party vendor for electronic storage
                        #194
Paper copies transferred to electronic storage
                        #185
  Maintenance: Obligation to maintain file
    Electronic formats
 
Client Funds [Top]
  Retainers, advances and fees, deposit and withdrawal of
  Settlements, remitting proceeds
 
    Collection agencies
    Divorce decrees, as instructed by
  Trust accounts
 
    Out of state accounts, deposit in
     Real estate, escrow
     
 
Client's Decision Making Authority [Top]
  Incapacity, mental
  Insureds and insurer, representation of, defense strategy
  Pleas, entering of, insanity defense
    Collection agencies
    Divorce decrees, by order of
       
Client. See also Attorney-Client Relationship. Client's
Decision Making Authority. Client Files. Client Funds.
Confidentiality. Public Interest Legal  Services. [Top]
     
       
Code of Cooperation [Top]
  Maine Bar and Medical Association, violation of
       
Collection Agencies [Top]
  Fee sharing arrangements
  Settlements, remitting proceeds to
     
Commencement of Representation. See also Attorney-
Client Relationship. Conflict of Interest. Disclosure [Top]
  Disclosure of interests, consent requirement  
  Attorney General, written consent  
    Familial relations
  Attorney-legislator, firm member of
  Board of Overseers of the Bar, board member and member of firm initiating grievance complaint
  Committee or group representation, "Superfund" litigation
  Familial relations
  Insurer, subrogated
  Interest in client, limited partnership
  Office sharing arrangements, attorneys participating in
  Partners and associates, representation of adverse parties
  Prior judicial activity
 
  Former administrative agency board member, entry into private firm
  Probate judge, partner in representing attorney's firm
  Public Advocate, counsel to, Public Utilities Commission cases
  Simultaneous representation
 
    Adoption proceedings
    Insurance company and insureds
    Title companies, attorney-agent
  Successive representation
 
    Former clients, litigation against
    Lobbying activity, representation of interest groups
    Witness, lawyer called as
  Employment agreements
 
    Arbitration clauses
    Noncompetition clause
  Identifying commencement
 
    Associate's clients, termination of employment by partner
    Insurance company and insureds
    Mediation service
    Probate, beneficiaries of estate, identification of client
    Title searches, identification of client
  Legal aid clinics, law school affiliated
  Limited representation, pro se
  Newsletter, solicitation of employment by, general public
  Referral service, lawyer serving as
Referrals, conflict cases, division of fees
  Referral from legal services organization
     
Communications [Top]
Data/file storage with third-party vendor
                        #194
Deceased client, confidential information requested by Personal Representative
  Ex parte
 
    Final decree, attorney drafted
    Letter, received by client during hearing
Newsletters, general public
Non-firm attorneys, consultation with
Parties
    Adverse party, represented
    Debtors, reporting bad checks
Disabled clients, relatives of
Insurance adjuster, as named party and corporate employee of adverse party
Municipalities
    Amicus brief, filing of, counsel representing adverse municipality
    Council members of
    Employee grievance proceedings
    Office of Advocacy, exception to Bar Rules
    Workers' compensation insurer, representation of, communication with employer
Use of confidential information from referral
Witnesses, plaintiff's doctor
Attorneys handling of fees in Social Security Administration case where client was previously represented by a non-attorney advocate.
Conduct. See also Client Funds. Communications.
Confidentiality. [Top]
  During litigation  
    Appearance, failure to make at client's request
    Contingent fee agreements, proprietary interests
    Criminal evidence, custody of, improper concealment
    Ex parte communications, attorney drafted final decrees
    Limited partnership interest in client
    Litigation costs, advancement of, transfer of finance costs to client
Litigation costs, aiding client in obtaining loan from third-party commercial lender
Litigation costs, non-recourse loan obtained by attorney
                        #193
    Privileged documents of adverse party, inadvertent disclosure by opposing counsel
       
    Public prosecutor, duty of, Public Utilities Commission cases
   

Transmission, retrieval and use of metadata embedded in documents

  During representation
 
    Collection proceedings, criminal violation charges in civil matter
    Communications with insured-employer, settlements, worker's compensation claims
    Court appointed cases, attorney competency
    Grievance complaint, threat to file
    Pleas, entering on client's behalf, consent requirement
Termination of law practice, death or disability, client files
    Communications with clients by unencrypted e-mail

#195

  Title searches, bank or borrower interests, avoiding misreliance
       
Confidentiality [Top]
  Address of client, disclosure by court order
  Billing information, disclosure to insurance auditing company
  Closed client files, disposal of
Communications with clients by unencrypted e-mail

#195

  Consultations, non-firm attorneys, client consent
  Court orders, client's defiance of, disclosure
  Criminal evidence, taking custody of
Deceased client, confidential information requested by Personal Representative
  Fees charged, disclosure to Bar Association referral service
  File storage business, attorney operated
File/data storage business, contract with third-party vendor
                        #194
  Financial information of client, disclosure of
  Financing agencies, fee arrangements with
  Former clients, litigation against
  Grievance proceedings, use of client confidences in defense of
  Letter, received by client during hearing
  Lobbying activity, successive representation of interest groups.
  Mediation services, obligations to clients
  Mental incapacity of client, disclosure of
  Nonprofit Board of Directors provides services to domestic violence victims, attorney member's obligation to preserve confidences between organization and a party receiving its services
  Non-lawyer employees, preservation of confidences
  Perjury of client, disclosure of
  Privileged documents of adverse party, inadvertent disclosure by opposing counsel
  Prospective clients, obligation towards
 
    Divorce proceedings, representation of opposing parties
    Office sharing arrangements, attorneys participating in
  Security Agreements, accounts receivable infromation
Transmission, retrieval and use of metadata embedded in documents
Use of confidential information from inquiry by pro bono legal services organization
  Volunteer Lawyers Project
       
Conflict of Interest. See also Commencement of
Representation. [Top]
  "Issue" or "positional" conflict
  Board of Overseers of the Bar, board member and member of firm initiating grievance complaint
  Employees, conflict created by, screening
  File storage business, attorney operated
  Independent judgment, effect on. See also Lawyer's own interest. Simultaneous representation.
 
    Attorney General, private firm representing municipalities and employed by
    Attorney-County Commissioner, private representation of criminal and civil litigants
    Class actions, prospective filing against and payment for past services by government agency
  Familial relations
  Office sharing arrangements, attorneys participating in
  Public officials
  Referral service, influence on representation
  Salaried staff member, attorney as, nonprofit corporation
  Simultaneous representation
  Written consent from Attorney General, requirement of
  Lawyer's own interest, adverse effect on
 
    Attorney-directors, serving as board member and counsel
    Brokerage firm, relationship with, real estate transactions, disclosure
    Class actions, negotiation of fees
    Current clients, litigation against.
    Familial relations
 
    District Attorney's Office
    Referral fee, collection contingent upon separate action
    Referrals, compensation for, investment advisory firms
    Security interests
 
    Client property, mortgage placed on
    Divorce, mortgage placed on martial property
    Witness, attorney called as
  Legal aid clinic, law school affiliated
  Mediation Services
 
    "Of counsel" affiliation with law firm
    Law firms, offered by, divorce actions
  Nonprofit Board of Directors provides services to domestic violence victims, attorney member's conflict disclosure and consent requirements when client's adversary receives benefits from that nonprofit agency
  Nonprofit corporation, attorney as salaried staff member of
 

Office of Advocacy, lawyer and non-lawyer advocates

  Office sharing arrangements, attorneys participating in
  Partners or associates, representation of adverse parties, divorce proceedings
  Police Legal Advisor, transfer to City Corporation Counsel Office
  Prior judicial activity
 
    Complaint Judge-attorney, issuance of search warrants on clients
    Former administrative agency board member, entry into private firm
    Probate judge, member of representing attorney's firm
    Register of Probate Court, firm member serving as guardian ad litem
  Simultaneous representation
 
    "Superfund" litigation
    Adoption proceedings
    Adverse parties, representation in unrelated cases, "positional" conflict
    Assistant district attorney, member of private firm
    Bank and borrower, title searches
    Buyer and seller, attorney-escrow agent
    Current clients, initiating litigation against, disclosure requirement
    Driver and passenger, representation of, personal injury cases
    Insured and subrogated insurer
    Insured defendants, multiple representation provided by insurance company
    Minor children as clients, independent claims of parents in same action
    Probate, beneficiaries of estate
    Public officials, lawyers elected as, representation of civil and criminal litigants
    Retailer and buyer, representation against manufacturer
    Town Counsel, partner serving as, appeal made before
  Successive representation
 
    Former clients, representation adverse to
    Non-attorney employees
    Public prosecutor, Public Utilities Commission cases
    Government attorney, firm disqualification
    Lobbying activity, representation of interest groups
  Volunteer Lawyers Project, referrals made by, Pine Tree Legal
  Witness, lawyer called as
     Affidavit, filed by attorney
       
Contingent Fees [Top]
  Co-counsel, division with attorney-witness
  Computation, alternative methods, hourly fees
  Division of, fee sharing
 
    Referral to non-partner
  Divorce actions, use in
    Post-judgment motions, motion to enforce
    Pro bono cases
  Expenses of litigation, advancement of, written agreements
Expenses of litigation, aiding client in obtaining loan from third-party commercial lender
Expenses of litigation, loans to attorneys
                        #193
  Fixed fees, contingencies upon specific results
Pro bono referral
  Real property interests
  Referral fee, contingent upon separate action, divorce cases
Sharing fees with non-lawyers
                        #193
  Statutory fee provisions, collection with regards to
     
Corporations [Top]
  Board of Directors  
    Attorney-director, obligations to clients and corporation
    Representing attorney serving as member of Board
  Business partnership with non-lawyer, formation of
  Counsel, "of counsel" relationship 
County Officials. See also Public Officials. [Top]
 
Court-Appointed Attorneys [Top]
  Acceptance of appointment, obligations
  Indigent clients, financial status, privileged information
  Unsolicited gifts, acceptance of
     
Criminal Representation [Top]
  Assistant District Attorney  
  Defense by firm of
  Defense, spousal relationship with
  Evidence, client's disclosure of, duties of attorney
  Indigent clients, obligation to provide
     
Deceased Attorney [Top]
  Client files, disposition of, solo practitioners
  Letterheads, retention of name on
   
 
Disclosure. See also Commencement of Representation.
Confidentiality. Conflict of Interest. [Top]
  "Of counsel," mediator's affiliation with law firm
  Client confidences
 
Deceased Client: Confidential Information Requested by Personal Representative
     Grievance complaint, use in defense of
     Inadvertent disclosure of
  Client fees
 
    Insurance auditing company
    Post-judgment actions, divorce, contingent fees
    Referral service
  Contingent fee arrangements, relationship with statutory fee provisions
  Contingent referral fees
Deceased client, confidential information requested by Personal Representative
  Financial information, indigent clients
  Fraud, client
  Incapacity of client
  Misconduct, members of administrative tribunal
  Nonprofit Board of Directors provides services to domestic violence victims, attorney member's conflict disclosure and consent requirements when client's adversary receives benefits from that nonprofit agency
  Perjury, client
  Prospective clients, interest conflicts
    Brokerage firm, relationship with, real estate transactions, disclosure
    Familial relations
    Financial relationships, commissions, attorney-agent of title company
    Public officials, firm members of
    Volunteer Lawyers Project, Lawyer of the Day
  Real-estate transactions
 
    Non-clients, obligations towards
    Title companies, attorney owned, law related services
       
Disqualification. See also Conflict of Interest. Withdrawal
from Employment. [Top]
  "Of counsel," mediator's affiliation with law firm
  Attorney-legislator, firm members of
  District Attorney, private firm representing municipalities and employed by
  Former government attorney, firm or associates of
  Legal aid clinic, law school affiliated
  Non-lawyer staff, interest conflict created by
  Prior judicial activity
 
    Assistant district attorney, member of private firm
    Former administrative board member, entry into private firm
    Probate judge, partner of representing attorney's firm
Public office, lawyer on municipal planning Board
  Witness, attorney called as
    District Attorney's office
     
District Attorney. See Prosecutors. [Top]
     
Division of Legal Fees. See Fees. [Top]
     
Divorce [Top]
  Adverse parties, representation of, client confidences
  Contingent fees, use of
    Post-judgment motions, motion to enforce
  Contingent referral fees, independent actions, interest conflicts
  Mediation Service, law firm as
  Property, mortgage placed on, pecuniary interest in
 
    Martial property
    Post-judgment property
    Settlements, remitting proceeds of
     
Dual Practice [Top]
  "Of counsel," relationship with law firm
  Assistant District Attorney, private firm member serving as
  Attorney-County Commissioner
  Marriage counselor, attorney serving simultaneously as
  Title company
 
    Attorney as agent for
    Listing of law firm as.
     
Dual Representation. See Conflict of Interest. [Top]
     
Employees [Top]
  Client confidences, breach
  Conflict of interest created by, imputed disqualification
  Letterheads, office manager, listing of
  Profit sharing arrangements
  Screening, conflict of interest cases
     
Employment Agreements . See Commencement of
Representation. [Top]
 
Escrow Accounts. See Real Estate. [Top]
 
Ethics Commission. See Professional Ethics Commission. [Top]
 
Evidence [Top]
  Criminal evidence, disclosure by client, duty to disclose
     
Ex Parte Communications. See Communications [Top]
 
Familial Relations. See also Conflict of Interest. [Top]
  Related lawyers, firms of
 

Spousal relationship

 
    "Of counsel" affiliation, spouse of partner in firm
    Counsel for adverse party, partner of, Assistant District Attorney
    District Attorney's office, member of, defense of case prosecuted by
    Referrals, real estate transactions
 
Fees. See also Contingent Fees. [Top]
  Arbitration, submission to.
  Board of Directors, attorney as member and counsel for, compensation approval
  Class actions
  Client files, disposition or storage of
  Client trust account, deposit and withdrawal of fees from
  Commissions, received by attorney-agents
  Disclosure of
  Division of fees, fee sharing
 
    in "Of counsel" relationships
    Collection agencies, commission sharing
Conflict of interest
    Firm employees
    Non-lawyers
    Public Interest Litigation Organization
    Referral service, attorney or law firm owned
    Referring attorneys, non-partners
      Witness in referral case
  Financing agencies, arrangements with
Fixed fee - departure from
  Fixed fees, advertisement of, departure from
  Grievance complaint, charge for defending
  Incremental time units, use of
  Law lists or directories, membership in national networks, payments made to third parties
  Litigation expenses, advancement of, transfer of financing costs to client.
Litigation expenses, aiding client in obtaining loan from third-party commercial lender
Litigation expenses, non-recourse loan obtained by attorney
                        #193
  Mediation service, division with non-lawyer
Pro bono referral
  Referral fees
 
  Computation, percentage of client's fee
  Investment advisory firms
  Maine Lawyer Referral Service
  Private referral service, collected by
  Retainers, return of
  Security interests
 
    Bank, interest granted to, accounts receivable
    Client property, mortgage placed on
    Divorce, mortgage placed on property
 
      Marital property
      Post-judgment property
    Statutory fee provisions, pre-settlement negotiations, class actions
    Unsolicited gifts, acceptance of, court-appointed attorney
Attorneys handling of fees in Social Security Administration case where client was previously represented by a non-attorney advocate.
       
 

Files. See Client Files. [Top]

Foreclosures [Top]
  Witness, lawyer for mortgagee called as, attorney's fees
 
Former Clients. See Confidentiality. Conflict of Interest. [Top]
 
Fraud. See also Withdrawal. [Top]
  Court orders, violation of, by client
  Financial status, changes in, disclosure of, indigent clients
  Insureds and insurer, representation of, client's instructions on defense strategy
  Perjury, client's disclosure of
  Privileged documents of adverse party, inadvertent disclosure by opposing counsel
     
Grievance [Top]
  Board of Overseers of the Bar member, representation of filing party
  Complainant attorney, obligation to report
  Complaint, filing of, withdrawal, settlements
  Defense
 
    Client confidences, disclosure of
    Fees, collection from complainant
     
Grievance Commission [Top]
  Jurisdiction
     
Impropriety. See Appearance of Impropriety. [Top]
     
Informed Consent. See Conflict of Interest. [Top]
 
Insurance [Top]
  Insurance companies, retained by, client defined
  Subrogated insurer and insured, simultaneous representation of
Public office, lawyer on municipal planning Board
  Worker's compensation, representation of employer's insurer
     
Interest of Lawyer. See Conflict of Interest. [Top]
     
Judges [Top]
  Probate judge, partner of representing firm, interest conflict
     
Judgments [Top]
  Written communications, final decrees prepared by attorney
     
Judicial Education [Top]
  Fundraising, lawyers involved in
     
Law Clerks [Top]
  City Council, appearance before, council member as member of clerk's firm
  Legal clinics, law school affiliated
     
Law Lists. See Advertising. [Top]
     
Law Related Services [Top]
  File storage business, attorney operated
  Title companies, attorney proprietary interest in
     
Lawyer Referral Services [Top]
  Attorney operated, fee collection for
  Fees, collection of
Indigent clients for pro bono representation
  National attorney networks, membership in
     
Lawyer's Independent Judgment. See Conflict
of Interest. [Top]
     
Legal Assistants. See Employees. [Top]
     
Legal Clinics [Top]
  Law school affiliated, limitations
     
Legal Services. See also Lawyer Referral Services. Legal
Clinics. Public Interest Legal Services. [Top]
  Corporation, formation with non-lawyers, practice of law defined
     
Letterheads. See Advertising. [Top]
     
Liability. See also Malpractice. [Top]
  Limiting  
    Real estate title opinions
    To client
    Non-lawyer assistants, breach of client confidences
   
 
Liens [Top]
  Client files, former clients
  Client property, mortgage placed on, fee collection
   
 
Limiting Liability. See Liability. [Top]
     
Loans . See also Conduct. Contingent Fees. Fees. [Top]
Litigation loans, assisting client in obtaining from third-party commercial lender
Litigation loans, to lawyer constitute fee-sharing with non-lawyer
Lobbying [Top]
  Attorney-legislator, firm member, duties of
  Legislative lobbying services, partnership with non-lawyer, non-active lawyers
  Lobbyist, law firm as, interests of former clients
   
 
Maine Bar Foundation. See also Judicial Education. [Top]
  Judicial Education Committee, fundraising for.
   
 
Maine Medical Association. [Top]
  Code of Cooperation, violation of
     
Maine State Bar Association. [Top]
  Code of Cooperation, violation of
     
Malpractice [Top]
  Arbitration agreements, employment contracts
  Claims, right to defend, limiting liability
  Grievance complaints, use in settlement negotiations
  Releases, execution of
     
Mediators [Top]
  Lawyers as  
    "Of counsel" firm affiliation, lawyer forming mediation group
Pro se cases, preparation of ancillary documents
  Mediation firm, formation with non-lawyer
     
Misconduct. See also Malpractice. [Top]
  Complaint, duty to file
     
Multiple Representation. See Conflict of Interest. [Top]
     
Name of Firm. See Advertising. [Top]
     
Non-Lawyer Assistants. See Employees. [Top]
"Of Counsel" [Top]
Relationship
Partnerships. See also Disqualification. [Top]
  "Law associates," use of term
  Accountants, formation with
  Clients, limited partnership interest in
  Corporations, formation with non-lawyers
  Attorney-board member.
  Firm members, representation of member-defendant
  Legislative lobbying services, partnership with non-lawyers
  Mediation firm, formation of
 
    "Of counsel" affiliation, mediator's retention of
    With non-lawyers.
     
Personal Representative [Top]
Deceased Client: Confidential Information Requested by Personal Representative
Pleas. See Client's Decision Making Authority. [Top]
     
Privilege [Top]
Deceased Client: Confidential Information Requested by Personal Representative
Pro Bono [Top]
  Contingent fees, secured interest in divorce proceeds
     
Pro Se [Top]
  Appearance, failure to make, by client's request
  Limited representation, attorney drafted complaint
 
Probate [Top]
Deceased client, confidential information requested by Personal Representative
  Judge, firm member of, interest conflicts
  Register of Probate, member of firm serving as guardian ad litem
     
Professional Ethics Commission [Top]
  Jurisdiction
     
Prosecutors [Top]
  Assistant District Attorney  
    Member of firm representing towns
    Representation of criminal defendant by firm of
    Spousal relationship with, criminal defense
  Deputy Attorney General, entry into private firm
  District Attorney
 
    Attorney-County Commissioner, representation of interests adverse to
    Familial relations with
    Partner of, representation of adverse party
    Private firm representing municipalities and employed by
    Simultaneous representation, civil and criminal cases
  District Attorney's Office
 
    Spousal relations with
    Witnesses, staff called as
  Public prosecutor, duties of, Public Utilities Commission cases
     
Public Interest Legal Services [Top]
  Indigent persons, court-appointed cases, obligation to accept
Pro bono representation
   
 
Public Officials. See also Prosecutors. [Top]
  Attorney-City Councilor, representation of private civil and criminal litigants against city
  Attorney-County Commissioner, representation of civil and criminal litigants
  Attorney-legislator, firm members of, duty of
Attorney-Planning Board member, representation by firm members before Board
  City solicitor, partners of, volunteer board members.
  Deputy Attorney General, entry into private firm, firm disqualification
  Former administrative board member, entry into private firm, disqualification
  Mayor, firm members of
  Municipal attorneys
 
    Communications
    Partners of
 
      Real estate developers, representation of
  Town Counsel, partner serving as, appeal made before
     
Real Estate [Top]
  Attorney-title company agent, title searches, fees charged
  Brokerage firm, relationship with, interest disclosure
  Escrow agent, law firm as
  Escrow funds and accounts
 
    IOLTA and non-IOLTA accounts
    Title company, deposit in name of
    Withdrawal from attorney trust accounts
  Interest in property, contingent fee payment as
  Referrals, by attorney-broker to attorney-spouse, interest conflicts
  Title company, attorney owned, law related services
  Title opinions, limiting liability
  Title searches
 
    Attorney-title company agent, fees charged
  Client, identification of
     
Referrals. See also Lawyer Referral Services. [Top]
  Co-counsel, division of contingent fees
  Conflict of interest cases, division of fees
  Divorce, independent civil suit arising from, contingent fees
  Familial relations, real estate transactions
Indigent clients for pro bono representation
  Investment advisors, referrals to, compensation for
  National attorney networks, membership in
  Non-attorneys, independent collection of contingent fees
  Referral service, attorney operated
  Web site referral service, attorney as member of
     
Sale of Law Practice [Top]
  Disbarred Attorney, sale by
     
Secrets. See Confidentiality [Top]
     
Settlements.  See also Client Funds. [Top]
  Acceptance of, as requested by parents of minor client
  Client releases, past and future ethical misconduct claims
  Divorce, civil action arising out of
  Grievance complaint, use as negotiation tool
  Remitting Proceeds  
    Collection agencies
    Divorce decree, as instructed by
Statutory attorney's fees, negotiation of during settlement of underlying claim
  Worker's compensation, duty to communicate with employer pre-settlement
     
Sharing Office Space [Top]
  Arrangements, duties imposed by
     
Specialization [Top]
  Title company, law firm advertising as
     
Termination of Representation. See Withdrawal from
Employment. [Top]
     
Title Companies [Top]
  Law firms advertised as.
     
Title Insurance [Top]
  Fees, issuance of policy, related representation.
  Non-clients, disclosure, obligations towards
Title company as law-related service
   
 
Title Searches. See Real Estate. [Top]
     
Trust Accounts. See Client Funds. [Top]
     
Trustees [Top]
  Attorney-Board member, corporations, simultaneous
representation
     
Unauthorized Practice of Law [Top]
  Nonprofit corporation, attorney as salaried staff member of
  Phone taping, electronic recordation of conversations
Unauthorized practice of law by admittees of foreign
jurisdictions
     
Withdrawal from Employment. See also Conflict
of Interest. [Top]
  Client files  
    Closed files, disposal of
    Delivery of
  Client perjury, motion to leave
  Former clients, representation of interests adverse to
  Fraud, client
  Lawyer called as witness
  District Attorney's Office
  Leave of court, failure to obtain, pro se client
  Partners or associates, representation of adverse parties, divorce proceedings
  Probate, beneficiaries of estate
  Public officials, partners of
  Termination of law practice, death or disability
  Town Counsel, partner serving as, appeal made before
  Website referral services
     
Witnesses [Top]
  District Attorney's Office, members of
  Lawyer called as
  Affidavit, attorney filing of
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