Legal Ethics

  • January 31, 2025

    Judge Blocks Ex-Knick's MSG Sanctions Bid As 'Premature'

    A Manhattan federal judge has denied former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley's request to sanction Madison Square Garden for allegedly losing emails relevant to his assault suit, saying Oakley's motion was "at best, premature."

  • February 14, 2025

    Law360 Seeks Members For Its 2025 Editorial Boards

    Law360 is looking for avid readers of our publications to serve as members of our 2025 editorial advisory boards.

  • January 31, 2025

    Ex-BigLaw Atty Can't Escape OneCoin Conviction At 2nd Circ.

    The Second Circuit on Friday upheld a former Locke Lord LLP partner's conviction and 10-year sentence for helping launder roughly $400 million in proceeds from the multibillion-dollar OneCoin cryptocurrency scheme, rejecting the attorney's contention that a sole cooperating government witness' perjury and other purported errors warranted reversing his punishment.

  • January 31, 2025

    Goldstein Case Raises The Stakes For A DOJ Office In Tumult

    The bombshell tax-crimes case of U.S. Supreme Court lawyer Tom Goldstein landed at a U.S. Department of Justice outpost in Maryland that has been plagued in recent years by botched cases and internal strife — pitting a beleaguered U.S. attorney against a pair of former Donald Trump attorneys itching for a fight.

  • January 31, 2025

    Calif. Atty Wins Ruling To Sue Doctor For Defamation

    A California state appeals court said Friday a Pasadena attorney can pursue a defamation lawsuit against an orthopedic surgeon who allegedly made unflattering remarks about the attorney in front of one of the attorney's clients.

  • January 31, 2025

    Proposed DC Anti-Harassment Rule Sparks Familiar Debate

    A proposed change to the D.C. Bar's ethics rules that's aimed at combating harassment and discrimination in the legal profession is stirring a First Amendment debate, echoing controversies seen in other jurisdictions.

  • January 31, 2025

    Ex-Trump Atty Sidney Powell Again Escapes Texas Discipline

    Former Trump attorney Sidney Powell has again escaped disciplinary action in connection with her efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

  • January 31, 2025

    Ex-Kline & Specter Atty Drops Suit Over Departure Dispute

    A former Kline & Specter PC associate has dropped his case claiming mistreatment by his former firm, according to recent filings in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.

  • January 31, 2025

    Fla. Judge Tees Up Free Speech Defense In Ethics Case

    A Florida state judge facing ethics charges related to campaign statements is going forward with a First Amendment defense in her Monday hearing, she told the state's Judicial Qualifications Commission in a prehearing statement.

  • January 31, 2025

    Conn. Justices Let McCarter Ex-Client Off $3.6M Hook

    Answering a certified question from a federal judge, the Connecticut Supreme Court on Friday ruled that McCarter & English LLP can't claw an additional $3.6 million in common law punitive damages from a nutritional supplement maker as part of a protracted fee feud, holding that the firm should have pleaded and proven an "independent tort" if it wanted to pursue the money.

  • January 31, 2025

    Reger Rizzo, Ex-Assistant Settle Race And Gender Bias Suit

    Philadelphia-based Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP reached a settlement in a federal race and sex discrimination case filed last year by an ex-legal assistant, according to an order published Friday.

  • January 31, 2025

    Paralegal Says Race, Disability Led To Thompson Coe Sacking

    A former paralegal at Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons LLP sued her ex-employer in Texas state court, alleging she was wrongfully fired because of her race and disability while also accusing the firm of sabotaging her attempts at obtaining future employment at other law firms.

  • January 31, 2025

    Jury Instructions Tainted Ex-State's Atty's Trial, 4th Circ. Hears

    A Fourth Circuit decision from 1938 took center stage Friday as a seemingly divided appellate panel debated whether a jury that found former Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby guilty of mortgage fraud had been improperly instructed on where the crime occurred.

  • January 31, 2025

    NJ Firm Blasts Pier Investment Suit As 'Shameless Fiction'

    Hankin Sandman Palladino Weintrob & Bell has urged a New Jersey federal court to toss a Garden State couple's legal malpractice lawsuit over their investment in an Atlantic City Boardwalk amusement park, arguing that their claims are barred by the state's entire controversy doctrine and are "premised on knowing falsities and fail on the merits."

  • January 31, 2025

    LegalZoom Hit With Racial Bias Suit From Ex-Employee

    A former human resources employee at LegalZoom has hit the legal services company with a discrimination suit in Nevada federal court, alleging she was underpaid compared to her white colleagues doing the same work and retaliated against when she brought up her concerns.

  • January 30, 2025

    Pharmacy Says Its Ex-GC Destroyed Trade Secrets Evidence

    Texas-based Empower Pharmacy on Thursday pressed for sanctions against its former general counsel — who also happens to be a former assistant district attorney in San Antonio — claiming that the lawyer intentionally destroyed a hard drive that contained evidence relevant to Empower's trade secrets suit against a rival pharmacy.

  • January 30, 2025

    Jay-Z Blasts Buzbee For 'Reputation-Destroying Allegations'

    Rapper Jay-Z has doubled down on his bid for sanctions against Texas attorney Tony Buzbee for filing a lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old with Sean "Diddy" Combs more than 20 years ago, saying the attorney has "weaponized" baseless accusations via social media and TV interviews.

  • January 30, 2025

    Paramount Settles Fee Suit Over Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight

    Paramount Global has settled a nearly decade-old lawsuit over a finder's fee for the lucrative 2015 boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., according to a Thursday notice in California state court.

  • January 30, 2025

    2nd Circ. Sees No Skadden Conflict In Pharma Merger Work

    The Second Circuit on Thursday declined to revive an investor suit alleging a merger between Sumitomo Pharma America Inc. and Myovant Sciences Ltd. was undervalued because the lawyers from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP who helped negotiate the deal had undisclosed conflicts of interest.

  • January 30, 2025

    Colo. Panel Says Atty Errors May Sink Contempt Sanctions

    In a precedential ruling Thursday, a Colorado Court of Appeals panel determined that a party facing a contempt sanction may bring a motion to reconsider premised on challenging the effectiveness of their legal representation.

  • January 30, 2025

    Ga. Businesses 'Over The Moon' With Tort Reform Proposals

    Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp unveiled a long-awaited tort reform package Thursday that, if passed, would limit businesses' premises liability, limit plaintiffs' attorneys' rhetoric around damages and require increased disclosures for third-party litigation funding, among a slew of other proposals.

  • January 30, 2025

    Mich. Judge Says 'Dial It Down' As Insults Fly In DQ Hearing

    A Michigan state court hearing over a motion to compel and disqualify an attorney defending a care facility in a wrongful termination lawsuit devolved into a volley of insults Thursday as lawyers who say they have a history of difficulty with each other slung personal jabs. 

  • January 30, 2025

    Greenberg Traurig Beats Suit From 'Vexatious Litigant' Attorney

    A Florida state appeals court upheld the dismissal of an attorney's lawsuit against Greenberg Traurig PA over its handling of a complaint against him on behalf of the Florida Bar.

  • January 30, 2025

    Atty Should Lose License In Billing Scandal Case, Judge Says

    A San Fernando Valley attorney colluded with attorneys for the city of Los Angeles in a water utility class action for which he received a $1.65 million fee and later sought to hire hackers to spy on the judge presiding over the class suit, a State Bar of California judge has found.

  • January 30, 2025

    Beasley Firm Must Face Ex-Client's Suit Over Med Mal Claim

    A New Jersey appellate panel on Thursday reinstated a legal malpractice lawsuit accusing The Beasley Firm LLC of mishandling a medical malpractice lawsuit, saying the trial court erred in granting summary judgment to the law firm.

Expert Analysis

  • Series

    Playing Competitive Tennis Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    My experience playing competitive tennis has highlighted why prioritizing exercise and stress relief, maintaining perspective under pressure, and supporting colleagues in pursuit of a common goal are all key aspects of championing a successful legal career, says Madhumita Datta at Lowenstein Sandler.

  • Series

    The Pop Culture Docket: Judge Djerassi On Super Bowl 52

    Author Photo

    Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy Djerassi discusses how Super Bowl 52, in which the Philadelphia Eagles prevailed over the New England Patriots, provides an apt metaphor for alternative dispute resolution processes in commercial business cases.

  • Considerations For Lawyer Witnesses After FTX Trial

    Author Photo

    Sam Bankman-Fried's recent trial testimony about his lawyers' involvement in FTX's business highlights the need for attorney-witnesses to understand privilege issues in order to avoid costly discovery disputes and, potentially, uncover critical evidence an adversary might seek to conceal, says Lawrence Bluestone at Genova Burns.

  • Employee Experience Strategy Can Boost Law Firm Success

    Author Photo

    Amid continuing business uncertainty, law firms should consider adopting a holistic employee experience strategy — prioritizing consistency, targeting signature moments and leveraging measurement tools — to maximize productivity and profitability, says Haley Revel at Calibrate Consulting.

  • Series

    Competing In Triathlons Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    While practicing law and competing in long-distance triathlons can make work and life feel unbalanced at times, participating in the sport has revealed important lessons about versatility, self-care and perseverance that apply to the office as much as they do the racecourse, says Laura Heusel at Butler Snow.

  • Opinion

    History Reveals Folly Of Absolute Presidential Immunity

    Author Photo

    As a federal appeals court grapples with former President Donald Trump’s claims that he’s immune from prosecution on election interference charges, it’s a fitting time for lawyers to reflect on the rule of law — from 13th century jurisprudence to Watergate and the Clinton impeachment — and how the idea of absolute presidential immunity is unwise, says attorney Steven Reske.

  • Where Justices Stand On Chevron Doctrine Post-Argument

    Author Photo

    Following recent oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court, at least four justices appear to be in favor of overturning the long-standing Chevron deference, and three justices seem ready to uphold it, which means the ultimate decision may rest on Chief Justice John Roberts' vote, say Wayne D'Angelo and Zachary Lee at Kelley Drye.

  • Perspectives

    6 Practice Pointers For Pro Bono Immigration Practice

    Author Photo

    An attorney taking on their first pro bono immigration matter may find the law and procedures beguiling, but understanding key deadlines, the significance of individual immigration judges' rules and specialized aspects of the practice can help avoid common missteps, says Steven Malm at Haynes Boone.

  • Lessons From Country Singer's Personal Service Saga

    Author Photo

    Recent reports that country singer Luke Combs won a judgment against a Florida woman who didn’t receive notice of the counterfeit suit against her should serve as a reminder for attorneys on best practices for effectuating service by electronic means, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.

  • Series

    Baking Bread Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    After many years practicing law, and a few years baking bread, I have learned that there are a few keys to success in both endeavors, including the assembly of a nourishing and resilient culture, and the ability to learn from failure and exercise patience, says Rick Robinson at Reed Smith.

  • Federal Courts And AI Standing Orders: Safety Or Overkill?

    Author Photo

    Several district court judges have issued standing orders regulating the use of artificial intelligence in their courts, but courts should consider following ordinary notice and comment procedures before implementing sweeping mandates that could be unnecessarily burdensome and counterproductive, say attorneys at Curtis.

  • Wachtell-X Ruling Highlights Trend On Arbitrability Question

    Author Photo

    A growing body of case law, including a California state court's recent decision in X Corp. v. Wachtell, holds that incorporation of specific arbitral body rules in an arbitration provision may in and of itself constitute clear and unmistakable evidence of delegation of arbitrability to an arbitrator, and thus such clauses should be drafted carefully, say attorneys at Norton Rose.

  • 7 E-Discovery Predictions For 2024 And Beyond

    Author Photo

    The legal and technical issues of e-discovery now affect virtually every lawsuit, and in the year to come, practitioners can expect practices and policies to evolve in a number of ways, from the expanded use of relevancy redactions to mandated information security provisions in protective orders, say attorneys at Littler.

  • On The Edge: Lessons In Patent Litigation Financing

    Author Photo

    A federal judge's recent request that the U.S. Department of Justice look into IP Edge patent litigation, and that counsel be disciplined, serves as a reminder for parties asserting intellectual property rights — and their attorneys — to exercise caution when structuring a litigation financing agreement, say Samuel Habein and James De Vellis at Foley & Lardner.

  • 5 Litigation Funding Trends To Note In 2024

    Author Photo

    Over the next year and beyond, litigation funding will continue to evolve in ways that affect attorneys and the larger litigation landscape, from the growth of a secondary market for funded claims, to rising interest rates restricting the availability of capital, says Jeffery Lula at GLS Capital.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the Legal Ethics archive.
Hello! I'm Law360's automated support bot.

How can I help you today?

For example, you can type:
  • I forgot my password
  • I took a free trial but didn't get a verification email
  • How do I sign up for a newsletter?
Ask a question!