Ethics

The New York Times reports that lawyers for families of 9-11 victims have asked the Second Circuit to replace the district court judge, for lack of diligence and timeliness.       . . . . .       According to this decision, Hildebrandt Family Partnership v. Provident Bank, under Ohio law legal malpractice cannot be committed by firms; it can be committed only by individual lawyers.  I can see what impact that would have on pleading and proof, but can anyone comment on whether that has any deep impact on the risk that firms face?  Under the decision, the firm would still be secondarily liable for the acts of the lawyers.  Btw, if you're looking for a fact pattern for a good hypo on fraud in business deals, the case is helpful.       . . . . .        This article from the Sun Sentinel (FL) offers a different take on the Holland v. Florida case than is offered in Justice Breyer's majority opinion.  It sounds as if the accused attorney will come out swinging once there is a hearing on his behavior.       . . . . .       A bitter family fight over an inheritance led a judge to issue sanctions and strong condemnation of two firms.       . . . . .       The former GC of McKesson has lost his right to practice before the SEC for five years.  At the recent ABA National Conference on PR, there was a panel on the SEC's stepped-up discipline process.       . . . . .       Professors Scott Cummings and Douglas NeJaime have published this article, arguing that the cause lawyers fighting for same-sex marriage rights have been inappropriately blamed for backlash.       . . . . .       Benjamin Zipursky, who hold a chair in legal ethics at Fordham, offers this critical review of Daniel Markovits's A Modern Legal Ethics: Adversary Advocacy for a Modern Age.       . . . . .       On a happier note, we are told that the "legal profession was recognised in this week?s Queen?s Birthday Honours List, with members of the judiciary and those committed to legal education taking the lead."  And why not?