Ethics

Is your referral-fee agreement ethical and enforceable?

California is the land of the “pure referral fee.” The agreed fee is not necessarily commensurate with work done on the case

Ji-In Lee Houck

From Issue: 2021 March

Ethical considerations in retainer agreements

A short look at what is required by the Business and Professions Code section 6148

John P. Blumberg

From Issue: 2019 February

“Generous referral fees paid per State Bar rules”

Written association of counsel and referral-fee agreements, approved by the clients, are essential for recovering attorneys’ referral fees

David Hoffman

From Issue: 2019 February

Web profiles and ethical concerns

You may love, hate or be indifferent about what’s posted about you on a website, but what are your ethical obligations?

Allison Schulman

From Issue: 2021 March

Pitfalls to avoid with litigation funding

Whether a third-party loan is made directly to the client or the attorney borrows the money, there are ethical pitfalls

Erin Joyce

From Issue: 2021 March

Mandatory fee arbitration

How it works and why it can be a valuable risk-management tool for attorneys

Kenneth E. Bacon

From Issue: 2020 November

My big mouth

Whether it’s a comment to the press, a letter to the defendant or a memo for the court, legal communications can result in attorney liability, “litigation privilege” notwithstanding

Douglas Johnson
Neville L. Johnson

From Issue: 2019 December

Terminating the attorney-client relationship

When and how to terminate the relationship with your client without breaking any rules and while preserving your rights to fees you have earned

Steven Glickman

From Issue: 2019 February

You received an investigation letter from the State Bar

Don’t panic. Here’s your game plan

Karen Stromeyer
Peter Weber

From Issue: 2018 September

The new Rules of Professional Conduct

A look at some of the most important changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct that became effective November 1, 2018

Ken Feldman
Jessica Beckwith

From Issue: 2019 February

Meeting the press

When and how to publicize your civil case without running afoul of ethical rules

Toni Jaramilla

From Issue: 2021 March

How to avoid a State Bar complaint

Put the client’s interests ahead of your own — and return phone calls

Erin Joyce

From Issue: 2019 December