Justia Connect Webinars Lawyer Ethics: Recognizing and Handling Conflicts of Interest

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Overview AI Webinar Summary

Lawyer Ethics: Recognizing and Handling Conflicts of Interest

The course will provide critical information and guidance regarding conflicts of interest, including screening for conflicts and addressing different types of conflicts, such as simultaneous representation of clients, representing multiple clients, engaging in business transactions with clients, lawyer as Witness, the organization as client, and when the client is under a disability.

Attendees will learn about the importance of properly handling conflicts of interest, including informed consent waivers of conflict, if applicable. This course will also address ethical considerations related to the proper withdrawal/termination of representation and file closing and records management.

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: March 17, 2026 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

The speaker, Joseph A. Corsmeier, highlights the importance of recognizing and handling conflicts of interest, drawing from his extensive experience in ethics and bar rules. He emphasizes the need for lawyers to be vigilant about conflicts of interest, which can often be ambiguous.

06:42 Screening Clients and Conflict Checks

Joseph discusses the importance of screening clients to avoid conflicts of interest, emphasizing the need for thorough conflict checks before representation begins. He highlights the significance of written fee agreements, ensuring clear communication of representation scope. Joseph advises lawyers to conduct initial consultations personally to better assess potential clients and avoid misunderstandings.

21:33 Concurrent Conflicts and Multiple Client Representation

Joseph explains the complexities of concurrent conflicts of interest and the conditions under which they can be waived. He emphasizes the necessity of obtaining informed consent in writing from all affected clients when waiving conflicts. He provides examples of non-waivable conflicts and stresses the importance of independent professional judgment. Joseph highlights the need for lawyers to conduct a thorough analysis of potential conflicts before undertaking representation. He warns against joint representation in situations where conflicts of interest are likely to arise, such as representing both spouses in a divorce.

41:23 Business Transactions and Gifts

Joseph outlines the ethical considerations for lawyers engaging in business transactions with clients, emphasizing fairness and full disclosure. He stresses the importance of advising clients to seek independent legal counsel before entering into transactions with their lawyer. Joseph discusses the ethical implications of soliciting or accepting substantial gifts from clients, providing examples of past violations.

54:47 Lawyers as Witnesses and Organizational Representation

Joseph addresses the ethical challenges lawyers face when acting as witnesses in cases where they are also advocates. He explains the conditions under which a lawyer can act as an advocate in a trial where they may be a necessary witness. Joseph discusses the responsibilities of lawyers representing organizations, emphasizing the need to act in the best interests of the organization. He outlines the steps lawyers should take if they become aware of legal violations within an organization they represent.

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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Alabama CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: March 16, 2031

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: March 16, 2028

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility - Ethics / Civility / Professionalism / Sexual Harassment Prevention

Earn Credit Until: March 16, 2028

Indiana CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2027

Nebraska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: March 17, 2028

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 Ethics/Professionalism

Earn Credit Until: March 16, 2027

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2027

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Attorney Professional Conduct

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse

Earn Credit Until: March 16, 2028

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2027

Utah CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: March 17, 2031

This presentation is approved for one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Alabama, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of Legal Ethics CLE credit in California, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of Professional Responsibility - Ethics / Civility / Professionalism / Sexual Harassment Prevention 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, one hour of Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one hour of Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility CLE credit in South Carolina (all levels), one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Utah, and one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Vermont. 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.

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