Download the file and listen at your convenience in the comfort of your office or home . CLes on CD also are still available for order if you prefer that format .
whattoexPectwhenYou ’ reexPecting … toPracticelaw
Professionalism & Ethics Committee
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area where new attorneys must exercise the utmost diligence . Rule 5-1.2 of the FL . Bar says that “ a lawyer must hold in trust , separate from the lawyer ’ s own property , funds and property of clients or third persons that are in lawyer ’ s possession in connection with a representation .” 2 Be sure to keep client funds separate from your personal account . Regularly reconciling these accounts helps to prevent discrepancies and ensures accountability . Lastly , when appropriate to do so , you must promptly disburse funds to the rightful parties .
When Opposing Counsel Tries to Pull a Fast One
Encountering unethical behavior by opposing couns el , such as concealing information , presents a tough task . It happens though . Rule 4-8.3 of the FL . Bar says , “ A lawyer who knows that another lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to that lawyer ’ s honesty , trustworthiness , or fitness as a lawyer in other respects must inform the appropriate professional authority .” 3
In conclusion , all lawyers , new and “ seasoned ” are expected to understand and adhere to the Florida Bar ’ s ethical and professionalism rules . This is essential for the justice system and the civility of our chosen profession . Effective communication with clients , careful trust account management , and proactive responses to ethical misconduct by others are just a few basic ways to begin your journey and exceed all expectations . n
1 https :// casetext . com / rule / florida-court-rules / rules-regulatingthe-florida-bar / chapter-4-rules-ofprofessional-conduct-preamble-a- lawyers-responsibilities / rule-4-1- client-lawyer-relationship / rule-4-14- communication #:~: text = A % 20lawyer % 20shall % 3A % 20 ( 1 ),% 3B % 20 ( 3 )% 20keep % 20the % 20client .
2 https :// www-media . floridabar . org / uploads / 2018 / 10 / Ch-5-2019 _ 04-Oct- 12-2018-RRTFB . pdf .
3 https :// casetext . com / rule / floridacourt-rules / rules-regulating-the-floridabar / chapter-4-rules-of-professionalconduct-preamble-a-lawyersresponsibilities / rule-4-8-maintainingthe-integrity-of-the-profession / rule-4- 83-reporting-professional-misconduct #: ~: text = A % 20lawyer % 20who % 20 knows % 20that , b )% 20Reporting % 20Misconduct % 20of % 20Judges .
Author : Amy Roher – J . D . Candidate at Stetson College of Law needclecreditS ?
You can now order a selection of more than 60 previous CLEs in mp3 downloadable format from HCBA !
Download the file and listen at your convenience in the comfort of your office or home . CLes on CD also are still available for order if you prefer that format .
For more inFormation , visit www . hillsbar . com .
J U l - A U g 2 0 2 4 | H C B A l A W Y E R
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