A lawyer will sometimes get a call or email from the agent acting under a client’s durable general power of attorney with questions about the client’s estate plan. The lawyer continues to owe a duty of confidentiality to the client...
It was not previously reported here, but in late 2024 the Supreme Court amended the Rules of Professional Conduct to update many of the rules relating to lawyer publicity and advertising. A change that might be particularly relevant to estate … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has reaccredited the National Elder Law Foundation as a certifying organization for elder law for a period of five years. “Reaccreditation of the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certifying Organization for Elder Law; No. 255 Disciplinary … Continue reading
The Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the American Bar Association has published Formal Opinion 511 (5/8/2024), which concludes that ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6 (on confidentiality) prohibits a lawyer from posting questions or comments on … Continue reading
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has increased the annual registration fee paid by lawyers from $145 to $195. “Amendment of Rule 219(a) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement; No. 219 Disciplinary Rules Docket” (3/14/2022), 52 Pa.B. 1733 (3/26/2022). … Continue reading
Without first publishing a proposed amendment for public comment, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted an amendment to Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(g), which was adopted in 2020 to make it professional misconduct for a lawyer to “knowingly manifest … Continue reading
The Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the Pa. Bar Association has issued Formal Opinion 2021-300 (3/5/2021), “Ethical Considerations for Lawyers Retaining Original Wills.” The opinion adopts and endorses New York State Bar Association Ethics Opinion 1182 (1/23/2020), … Continue reading
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted an amendment to Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4 that adds a new paragraph (g) to make it professional misconduct for a lawyer to “in the practice of law, by words or conduct, knowingly … Continue reading
The New York State Bar Association has released an ethics opinion stating that a lawyer may not dispose of wills even when the testators’ locations and circumstances are unknown, and that the lawyer must safeguard the wills indefinitely unless the … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has amended Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6 to allow lawyers to reveal confidential information to the extent that the lawyer reasonably believes necessary “to comply with other law or court order.” The amendment is effective in 30 … Continue reading