31 Jul 2010
Law.com recently published this story about a Florida lawyer who was disciplined for his disruptive and intimidating behaviour during depositions.
The sanctions imposed a 60 day suspension, and included a suggestion that the video of the deposition be used as part of a course on professionalism “as a glaring example of how not to conduct oneself in a legal proceeding.”
I don’t see how that is helpful.
28 Jul 2010
Every lawyer, at some point in his career, faces the pressure to deliver an opinion that a client wants to hear, even if it isn’t the one they need to hear.
The recent reappearance of the Bush Administration‘s “Torture Memos” in the media highlights the dilemma.
27 Jul 2010
Whenever I read stories like this one, I am grateful that I live, and practice law, in a democracy. Most lawyers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States will never face arrest for taking on an unpopular cause, or an unpopular client.
That there are lawyers in countries who not only face not only public opprobrium, but also arrest and detention in taking on cases and clients that the state disapproves of is an inspiration and a reminder of the lawyer we should aspire to be.
24 Jul 2010
It might not be surprising that some Plaintiffs’ counsel have taken to knocking a highly respected attorney in an effort to discourage people from seeking direct compensation from BP’s $20 billion compensation fund, but it is disappointing.
11 Jul 2010
Philip Slayton argues that the Law Society of Upper Canada‘s disciplinary proceeding against Conrad Black‘s Bay Street lawyers, Dorothy DeMerchant and Darren Sukonick, is not only about the conduct of the two lawyers being investigated; it is about the LSUC’s own credibility.
Get serious.
