The Cutting Edge: Hot Topics & Recent Developments in Legal Ethics

Regardless of what type of law you practice, ethical issues pervade all aspects of handling a case from initial representation, investigation and negotiation, through jury trial and beyond. Ethical rules and guidelines evolve over time, are subject to continuous interpretation through case law, and may be adapted to keep pace with technological and legal developments.  

Modern virtual law practice raises issues with using social media to communicate, advertise, blog, and cyber-sleuth. This program covers the most relevant ethical rules and standards, as well as the latest ethics opinions discussing the ethical land mines in cyberspace to avoid when investigating and litigating cases.  

Learning Objectives:

I. Identify ethical trends in the practice of law, including issues complicated by electronic communication such as: 

• increased risk of breaching confidentiality 
• application of ethical rules to the use of social media.

II. Gain familiarity with resources available to help answer modern ethical dilemmas, including: 

• ABA Model Rules
• Case law
• Ethics opinions

III. Grasp the latest ethics opinions that help analyze cutting edge ethical issues

IV. Comprehend specific rules and standards relating to: 

• advertising
• maintaining websites
• virtual practice of law