The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on the following proposed ethics opinion through December 21. Proposed Opinion 21-4: (1) May a lawyer who practices in a private law firm that regularly represents a public entity accept a position with a hiring law firm that is routinely adverse … Continue Reading
The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas is accepting public comments on the following proposed ethics opinion through October 16: Proposed Opinion 21-3: Do the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit a lawyer who is employed by a nonprofit agency that provides legal services to clients from requesting that, as part … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday issued its 38th Emergency Order of the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, the court permits the modification or suspension of court deadlines and procedures through August 1, 2021. The order permits all courts to hold in-person proceedings, including jury trials, after the adoption of health and safety standards, but encourages … Continue Reading
Texas lawyers are being called upon to exercise their right of self-governance by voting on proposed amendments to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Voting started today, February 2, and will continue until 5 p.m. CST March 4 by paper and electronic ballot. The final public forum for … Continue Reading
The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors voted September 25 to petition the Supreme Court to order a vote of bar members on proposed amendments to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, as provided by Tex. Govt. Code 81.0877. On September 29, the court issued an order … Continue Reading
A Texas attorney’s duty to maintain competence in the practice of law includes knowing about relevant technology, according to a new Texas Supreme Court order. The court, in Misc. Docket No. 19-9016, amended Paragraph 8 of the comment to Rule 1.01 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, which deals with competent and diligent … Continue Reading
The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday issued orders adopting amendments to attorney disciplinary rules effective June 1. You can read the orders at the links below. Misc. Docket No. 18-9030: Order Adopting Amendments to Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 8.03 Misc. Docket No. 18-9031: Order Adopting Amendments to the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure… Continue Reading
Most lawyers have a story of how someone or something affected them and gave them a reason to become a lawyer. What about after you became a lawyer? I have been practicing for almost 15 years and owe my career path to two attorneys who had a great impact on my career—and they do not … Continue Reading
Read our interview with Thomas H. Watkins, who served as chair of the Supreme Court of Texas Task Force on the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.… Continue Reading
