The Lawyer's Lawyer

Q. As we head to the beach for a two-week vacation, my wife and kids want me to leave my cell phone behind so I won't be distracted with client calls. Is this a good idea?

Q. Every week, consumers and business owners call me with cases that aren't large enough to justify my fees. I hate turning them away. But what's the alternative?

Q. Is it ethical for lawyers to use artificial intelligence to write briefs, draft legal instruments or provide other services?

Q. To err may be human, but is it a bigger mistake for lawyers to rely on artificial intelligence?

Q. As if I don't have enough to do, my insurance agent thinks I should get a "risk management audit" of my law firm. Is this really necessary?

How far will justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland go to protect their colleagues from the criticism of lawyers appearing before them?

Q. After testifying last month that she earned no income other than that reflected on the paystubs and tax returns we put into evidence, my client just told me that she makes extra money "under the table." What are my duties to the client, to the Court and to the IRS?

Q. If I bring an action without legal or factual justification, I may get sanctioned. Does the same thing apply to Bar Counsel?

Raising questions "about the appearance of impropriety" on the part of its top ethics official, the Supreme Court of Maryland asked whether Bar Counsel used her official position "to undermine ... a candidate in a Judicial election."

Q. In charging clients by the hour, aren't we rewarded for inefficiency and penalized for expeditious resolutions? Is there a more ethical way to bill our clients for legal services?

Q. My client has just been indicted on 13 counts of fraud and every reporter in town has called me for comment. Should I call them back? 

Q. After his client denied any text messages about this case, defense counsel sent me a thumb drive with hundreds of them, including some attorney-client communications. May I use these?

Q. Rather than focus on charges that may be tough to beat, my client repeatedly insists that she wouldn't be prosecuted at all if she were white. As a white woman, how can I get her off this racist rant?

Q. In a profession with a higher incidence of mental illness and addiction than society at large, are we doing enough to care for our colleagues?

Q. If I don't take retainers, I won't need a trust account at all. Can't I avoid this whole problem by billing for my work after it's completed?

Q. I read that Maryland's Bar Counsel tried to deprive accused lawyers of an equal right to discovery in disciplinary cases. Whatever happened to fundamental fairness?

I'm one of those legal dinosaurs that still keeps handwritten ledgers. Are there specific programs I should use?

Q. To help me celebrate April Fool's Day, the local sheriff will have my law partner detained as he walks into court today. When he asks why, the sheriff will say he's being arrested for the prank he pulled on me last year. Pretty hilarious, huh?

Q. I handle criminal cases for one flat fee – start to finish. When must I put the fee in trust and when can I take payments along the way?

Q. My tech client had a huge gift basket delivered to me, with an envelope containing first class tickets for a golf trip to Scotland. May I accept these?

Q. As lawyers, we know that "all persons" should be treated equally under the law. Does that apply to "all lawyers" in the attorney grievance process?

Q. We are thankful for the many satisfied clients who have recommended us to their friends, coworkers and relatives. To encourage more referrals, may we send them tokens of our appreciation?

As one law professor wrote, this oral "argument delve[d] into the philosophy of attorney regulation and the appropriate role of disciplinary counsel in a way that few cases do."

Q. Representing a large manufacturer, I sent a demand letter threatening to sue its competitor and promising a nasty discovery process that would be the "legal equivalent of a proctology exam." Did I go too far?

Q. I regularly fly to depositions for a client that pays for my time in transit. If I work on another client's case during the flight, may I bill that time as well?

Q. I've always heard that referral fees are forbidden. But I know lawyers who routinely refer cases for a share of the profit, even if they're not licensed where the cases are pending. Isn't this unethical?

Testifying before the Maryland Court of Appeals, Judge Alan Wilner and Irwin Kramer debate the merits of proposals to reform the attorney disciplinary process.

Q. My client has threatened me with a lawsuit and an ethics complaint unless I refund her legal fees. Should I pay her to release these claims?