10 Ethical Tips from Hollywood Movies

10 Ethical Tips from Hollywood Movies

In this class, we review the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility as those rules are depicted in popular movies. We also analyze the difference between professionalism and ethics, encouraging attorneys to view their career as a professional calling. During this class, we will review the following Model Rules and professionalism concepts:

AGENDA

Suits

·         Model Rule 5.1 and 5.2 – ensuring others are rule followers

·         Model Rule 1.1 and learning on the job

·         Model Rule 4.2 – Communicating with unrepresented persons

·         Model Rule 8.4  - Misconduct

·         Model Rule 8.3 – Reporting Professional Misconduct

Indecent Proposal

·         Model Rule 1.6 – whose priviledge is it anyways?

Chicago

·         Rule 1.5 – Fees

·         Rule 1.6 – Confidentiality of Information

·         Rule 1.8 – Conflicts of Interest

·         Rule 3.3 – Candor towards the Tribunal

·         Rule 3.6 – Trial Publicity

Intolerable Cruelty

·         Rule 1.7 - Conflicts of Interest: Current Client

·         Rule 3.3 – Candor towards the Tribunal

·         Rule 4.1 – Truthfulness in Statements to Others

·         Rule 4.2 – Communications with person Represented by Counsel

·         Rule 7.1 – Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services

A Few Good Men (Professionalism)

·         Rule 1.3 Dilligence (work-life balance vs. client expectations)

·         Rule 1.1 Competence (taking on new matters as compared to associating with an attorney of established competence)

·         Rule 1.7 Conflict of interest (Professionalism approach to cases that could impact future career opportunities)

Lincoln Lawyer

·         Rule 1.3 – Diligence

·         Rule 1.4 – Communications

·         Rule 1.5 – Fees

·         Rule 1.6 – Confidentiality of Information

·         Rule 1.7 – Conflict of interest: Current Clients

·         Rule 1.8 – Conflict of Interest: Current Clients

·         Rule 1.15 – Safekeeping Property

·         Rule 3.3 – Candor towards the Tribunal

·         Rule 4.1 – Lying to Third Parties

And Justice for All

·         Model Rule 1.7 – when conflicts go nuclear

My Cousin Vinny (Professionalism)

·         Rule 1.1 – Competence (Professionalism concepts relating to being a mentoring attorney to new/inexperienced attorney)

·         Rule 1.2 – Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority between Client and Lawyer (The importance of maintaining the ability to treat opposing counsel professionally)

Rainmaker (Professionalism)

·         Rule 7.3 – Solicitation of Clients (Professionalism concepts regarding pro bono representation and non-profit representation)

·         Rule 8.3 – Reporting Professional Misconduct (Professionalism concepts regarding maintaining the integrity of the profession

Review of professionalism/ethics concepts

·         Outside of beyond the grave, when can I disclose client confidences? Rule 1.6

·         Can someone be in my ear? Rule 1.8

·         Can I take this case as a learning experience? Rule 1.1(b)

·         How diligent is not diligent? Rule 1.3

·         When can I talk to the opposing party? Rule 4.2(a) & (b), 1.8(h)(2)

·         What if I could be a witness?

·         What if my witness may lie, but I am not certain? Rule 3.3

·         When can/must I withdraw? Rule 1.16

·         Can I advertise that I am a super-lawyer? Rule 7.1

Joel Oster, Esq.,                              

Joel has also spoken to thousands of attorneys across the United States and has learned from their successful and unsuccessful legal practices.  Joel brings this practical perspective to all his seminars.

Oster earned his J.D. in 1997 from the University of Kansas School of Law.  Oster is admitted to the bar in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, and numerous federal courts.

Joel is a seasoned litigator and regular speaker to attorneys and non-attorneys alike. He currently is in private practice in Kansas City, specializing in constitutional litigation, campaign finance, sports law and appellate advocacy.

Disclaimer:  All views or opinions expressed by any presenter during the course of this CLE is that of the presenter alone and not an opinion of the Oklahoma Bar Association, the employers, or affiliates of the presenters unless specifically stated. Additionally, any materials, including the legal research, are the product of the individual contributor, not the Oklahoma Bar Association. The Oklahoma Bar Association makes no warranty, express or implied, relating to the accuracy or content of these materials.