Justia Connect Webinars Ethics 101: Essential Guidelines for a Lawyer’s Practice

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Overview AI Webinar Summary

Ethics 101: Essential Guidelines for a Lawyer’s Practice

This course will provide critical information and guidance regarding screening of potential clients, identifying potential conflicts of interest, client communication, and client file organization. The course will also provide critical information and guidance regarding conflicts of interest and how to identify and address such conflicts, including simultaneous representation of clients, representing multiple clients, and engaging in business transactions with clients.

Attendees will learn about the importance of preserving client confidentiality, including confidentiality in email and other electronic communications and court e-filing. This course will also address ethical considerations and information related to the proper withdrawal/termination of representation, file closing records management, asserting liens on unpaid fees and costs, and proper trust accounting.

Learning Objectives:

Learn how to screen for conflicts of interest at the beginning of the representation and properly draft fee agreements and charge reasonable fees

Learn how to avoid conflicts of interest; simultaneous representation in the same matter, representing multiple clients, and conflicts of interest in business transactions and relationships with clients (including loans) or acquiring an interest adverse to the client

Learn how to preserve confidentiality: absent an exception, confidential information must always be preserved even after the client dies; beware of confidential information in e-filing

Learn how to create a file organization system and checklists for managing case deadlines; pleadings index; communication records/logs; time entries/billing logs; discovery; research; etc.

Learn how to copy clients with all relevant documents related to representation, periodic updates, and file reviews to maintain progression of the files

Learn how to properly withdraw or terminate representation and protect client's interest, close files, manage records, and the importance of nonengagement/disengagement letters

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: November 24, 2025 10:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

Joseph A. Corsmeier is introduced as the speaker, with a focus on ethics and disciplinary matters in Florida. Joseph outlines his background and expertise in defending lawyers and providing ethics advice. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ethical obligations and maintaining an ethical law practice.

05:00 Supervision and Responsibilities

Joseph discusses the multi-jurisdictional nature of the course, focusing on lawyers' duties under bar rules. He highlights the importance of supervision and responsibilities of lawyers over non-lawyers and subordinate lawyers. The agency and principal doctrine, or 'respondeat superior,' is explained as a basis for liability. Joseph provides examples of violations, such as inappropriate client solicitation and social media conduct. He stresses the importance of remedial action and managerial authority in law firms.

23:30 Conflicts and Competence

Joseph explains the significance of conflict checks and the potential consequences of failing to identify conflicts. He discusses Model Rule 1.9, prohibiting representation against a former client in related matters. Competence is defined as legal skill, knowledge, thoroughness, and preparation necessary for representation. Joseph shares a case example of a lawyer's incompetence leading to a suspension and mental health evaluation. He emphasizes the importance of staying updated with legal practice and technology.

37:40 Business Transactions and Confidentiality

Joseph outlines the requirements for business transactions with clients, emphasizing informed consent and fairness. Confidentiality is discussed, highlighting the difference between attorney-client confidentiality and privilege. Exceptions to confidentiality, such as preventing crime or harm, are explained. Joseph warns against revealing confidential information in response to internet complaints. He provides examples of disciplinary actions for breaches of confidentiality.

49:44 Social Media and Client File Management

Joseph discusses the ethical implications of social media interactions, including friending opposing parties. He provides examples of disciplinary actions for revealing client confidences in response to negative reviews. Client file management tips are shared, including the importance of communication records and logs. Joseph advises caution in email communications and the importance of documenting settlement offers. He answers questions on subscription-based services, retainers, client intake red flags, and conflicts of interest.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Joseph A. Corsmeier Partner
Law Office of Joseph A. Corsmeier, P.A.

Joseph A. Corsmeier is an "AV" rated attorney practicing in Palm Harbor, Florida. He concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of defense of attorney disciplinary matters before The Florida Bar, attorney admission matters before the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, and professional license and disciplinary matters before the Boards of the State of Florida. He provides expert analysis and opinion on conflict of interest and other attorney disqualification and legal malpractice issues and he has testified as an expert in both the federal and Florida courts. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Indiana CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Nebraska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: December 15, 2027

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 Ethics/Professionalism

Earn Credit Until: September 2, 2026

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Attorney Professional Conduct

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Oklahoma CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics and Professionalism

Earn Credit: February 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2027

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: October 31, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of Legal Ethics CLE credit in California, one hour of Professional Responsibility CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Indiana, one hour of Professional Responsibility CLE credit in Nebraska, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of Attorney Professional Conduct CLE credit in Ohio, and one hour of Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse CLE credit in Pennsylvania. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. Of these, 1.20 qualify as total hours of credit for Ethics/Professionalism. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours, of which 1.00 credit hours will apply to Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit.
This presentation is approved for one hour of Legal Ethics and Professionalism CLE credit in Oklahoma from 2026-02-01 to 2027-02-01.

Justia only reports attendance in jurisdictions in which a particular Justia CLE Webinar is officially accredited. Lawyers may need to self-submit their certificates for CLE credit in jurisdictions not listed above.

Note that CLE credit, including partial credit, cannot be earned outside of the relevant accreditation period. To earn credit for a course, a lawyer must watch the entire course within the relevant accreditation period. Lawyers who have viewed a presentation multiple times may not be able to claim credit in their jurisdiction more than once. Justia reserves the right, at its discretion, to grant an attendee partial or no credit, in accordance with viewing duration and other methods of verifying course completion.

At this time, Justia only offers CLE courses officially accredited in certain states. Lawyers may generate a generic attendance certificate to self-submit credit in their own jurisdiction, but Justia does not guarantee that lawyers will receive their desired CLE credit through the self-submission or reciprocity process.

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