Whether, and when, and how much, you can pay a fact witness who is testifying is an ethical dilemma for lawyers. Fortunately, there is guidance for attorneys to help them figure out when they can, and when they can’t pay a fact witness. Attorney Daniel J. Siegel, Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Legal Ethics […]
Read MoreThe Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility today issued Formal Opinion 2020-300 – Ethical Obligations of Attorneys Working Remotely. The Opinion is intended to provide global guidance to attorneys working from home, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also for those who will work remotely even after the situation returns […]
Read MoreAh Hamlet, the famous line, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” came to mind last in the context of lawyers, lawyer advertising, and the Rules of Ethics. As many people know, the majority of our firm’s clients are lawyers and law firms, who trust us to provide ethical guidance, as well as representation before the […]
Read MorePundits swiftly smacked down Rosanne’s recent racist and anti-Semitic tweets, comparing them with New York Lawyer Aaron Schlossberg’s videotaped, racist rant against people for standing in front of him in a line. In a situation, where honestly, blameless people were supporting a local business, Attorney Schlossberg fumed at them shamelessly, calling them undocumented immigrants for […]
Read MoreWe are often asked why a client should hire a small firm where clients speak directly with their attorney rather than a larger firm, with a large staff, large overhead, and levels of bureaucracy? When it comes to heavily advertised areas of law such as workers’ compensation and personal injury, there may be another enormous […]
Read MoreAlmost hot off the presses. I just received a copy of the cover of my newest book, Fee Agreements in Pennsylvania. I edited the book (now in its 6th edition) and authored one chapter. The book will be available for purchase in the next few weeks from the publisher, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. The book […]
Read MoreFor lawyers, the issue of social media – whether it is their use of it or, God forbid, their clients’ use of it – is one that seems to pervade every area of their practices. As a result, many attorneys prefer the “head in the sand” approach, hoping that if they ignore it, it will […]
Read MoreThe September 28, 2016 issue of the Legal Intelligencer, the daily newspaper of the Philadelphia legal community, features comments by Havertown Attorney Dan Siegel. The article, “Rule Change Allows New Retirement Route for Solos,” discusses the amendments to Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.17, which regulates the manner in which attorneys may sell all or […]
Read MoreAh, social media. Facebook, Yelp, you name it, social media is out there, and lawyers are using – and misusing it. Here are some recent examples that highlight the issues confronting us – and why it is best to recognize the problems up front – so you don’t have to hire me to represent you […]
Read MoreDan Siegel teaches numerous continuing legal education courses, each with a practical “information you can use” approach. Dan’s next course is Bad Review + Bad Response = Good Way to Have an Ethical Problem, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 10:15 a.m. The program is one of many CLE programs at the Bucks County Bar Association’s “August […]
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