Professional Responsibility - Bar Flashcards
What are the 3 ways to create an attorney client relationship?
(1) Expressly
(2) Implied through conduct
(3) Appointment by a court
What are the 4 groups/areas to which lawyers have duties?
(1) Duty to the Client
(2) Duties to the Profession
(3) Duties to Opposing Counsel (or third parties)
(4) Duties to the Court
Name duties under the duty to the client
Name duties under duties to the profession
Name duties to opposing counsel
Name duties to third parties
Name duties to the court
Six duties to mention on every essay
Duty of Loyalty
Duty of Confidentiality
Duty of Competence
Duty of Financial Integrity
Duty of Fairness to Opposing Counsel
Duty to Report (under duty to profession)
For fee agreement, what 4 things to look for?
- Whether fee reasonable
- Whether fee must be in writing
- If contingency, whether type of case ok
- If contingency, whether required information therein is ok
Define rule for excessive fees under both aba and ca
Under the ABA, an attorney’s fees must be reasonable, based on the attorney’s experience, the time and preparation required, and the nature of the case.
Under the CA rules, an attorney’s fees must not be unconscionable.
What is the general writing requirement rule under both aba and ca
Under the ABA, agreements do not need to be in writing unless for a matter on contingency or fee splitting agreements. Under CA, all agreements must be in writing unless:
(1) Less than $1K
(2) Client is a corporation
(3) Client waives in writing the need for a written agreement
(4) Regular routine work between the lawyer and client
(5) Emergency work
What are the 2 types of matters in both the ABA and CA that cannot be subject to contingency?
(1) Criminal cases
(2) Domestic relations cases except for those involving collecting a post-judgment balance
What are the 3 requirements that must be in any contingency agreement under both the aba and ca, and 2 additional requirements for CA?
(1) How fee will be calculated
(2) What and when expenses will be deducted
(3) Expenses the client will have to pay for regardless of the outcome
(4) CA - that the contingency rate is not set by law and the client may negotiate the rate
(5) CA - how work not covered by the contingency will be funded
In a contingency case where the lawyer is discharged, how is his payment treated?
the lawyer is entitled to payment for the reasonable value of services provided, in the forum of quantum meruit after the client has recovered in the case, but not before. Also, if the lawyer is discharged due to ethical violations, the court may determine that the lawyer forfeited the fee.
What is the rule for double billing in the aba?
Under the ABA, double billing is not allowed.
What is the rule for double billing in ca?
In CA, double billing is allowed if:
(1) The fees are not unconscionable;
(2) Lawyer informs client of the practice; AND
(3) Both clients agree in writing.
When is fee splitting among LAWYERS acceptable in the ABA?
(1) Total fee is reasonable;
(2) Division of fee is proportionate to work performed or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility of the entire representation; AND
(3) Client consents in writing.
When is fee splitting among LAWYERS acceptable in CA?
(1) Total fee is not increased by virtue of the fee splitting agreement;
(2) Lawyers fully disclose terms to client and enter into written agreement between themselves; AND
(3) Client consents in writing.
When is the general rule and four exceptions for fee splitting among NON LAWYERS under the aba and ca?
Fee splitting with non-lawyers is not permissible under the ABA and CA authorities, except where:
(1) Payment of death benefits to a deceased lawyer’s family
(2) Purchasing a law practice where funds go to the family of the deceased lawyer
(3) Fees shared with non legal staff as part of regular compensation
(4) Sharing fees with a non-profit organization (ABA - court awarded fees, CA - no distinction, and payment for referral services ok)
Under both the ABA and CA, when are reciprocal referral agreements allowed?
(1) Not exclusive; AND
(2) Client informed.
What is the rule for referral gifts under the ABA?
Under the ABA, referral gifts are prohibited unless they are a nominal, token gift.
What is the rule for referral gifts under CA?
Under CA, referral gifts are permitted so long as the gift is not given in consideration that a referral would be forthcoming.
What is the rule for the Duty to Safeguard Property (funds)?
The attorney must keep client funds in a client trust account and withdraw the funds as they are earned or expenses are incurred.
What is the rule for the Duty to Safeguard Property (funds) as it relates to flat fees, in CA?
The lawyer may deposit flat fees into the lawyer’s operating account so long as the lawyer:
(1) Informs the client in writing that the fees may be moved into a client trust account;
(2) Informs the client that the client is entitled to the payment back for any payments not earned; AND
(3) Client consents in writing, for fees over $1K.