As clients become more fiscally-conscious and litigious, ethically compliant rainmaking and case selection are turning into more than a matter of integrity - they are a matter of firm survival. Don't fall into the trap of taking on "bad news" clients just to keep the case load up. This practical legal guide offers ethical strategies for attracting the right clients and filtering out the cases that you ethically cannot or shouldn't take. Get simple tips for staying in compliance and in the black - order today!

1. Soliciting Clients - Legal Advertising Rules and Limitations
2. Initial Client Interview
3. Conflict of Interest Checks
4. Iron-Clad Fee Agreements and Engagement Letters
5. When and How to Ethically Decline Representation
6. Legal Ethical Duties to Non-Clients

Continuing Education Credits:   

Continuing Legal Education

Credit Hrs    State    Credit Approval Expiration

* denotes specialty credits

Session Time: 11:00 AM - 2:15 PM Eastern
Presenters: Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski

1. SOLICITING CLIENTS - LEGAL ADVERTISING RULES AND LIMITATIONS
   11:00 - 11:30, Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski
1. Where You Can and Cannot Advertise
2. What You Can and Cannot Say
3. Special Considerations in Using Online Networking Sites and Directories
4. Is Your Firm's Website Ethically Compliant?
5. E-Mail Contact by Prospective Clients
2. INITIAL CLIENT INTERVIEW
   11:30 - 12:00, Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski
1. Assessing the Case
1. What Questions to Ask About the Case Facts, Parties Involved
2. What Key Documents to Gather/Request
2. Assessing the Client
1. Ability to Pay the Legal Bills
2. Troubled Dealings With Attorneys in the Past
3. Current Priorities, Goals and Expectations
4. Sources of Information for Client Assessment
1. Referral Sources
2. Internet
3. Potential Client
3. Ensuring Reasonable Expectations
3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHECKS
   12:00 - 12:45, Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski
1. Types of Conflicts
1. Prospective vs. Current Client
2. Prospective vs. Former Client
3. Prospective Client vs. Current/Former Client of Attorney in Your Firm
4. Impermissible Personal Relationships and Business Dealings With Prospective Clients
5. Vicarious Disqualification
6. Conflicts Arising When Attorneys Change Firms
7. Conflicts Caused by Other People
2. Special Conflict Checks for Lawyers Who are Current or Former Government Employees
3. Master Checklist of Potential Conflicts
4. Tips for Streamlining the Checks
5. Where to Find the Relevant Rules and Case Law on a Particular Conflict
4. IRON-CLAD FEE AGREEMENTS AND ENGAGEMENT LETTERS
   1:00 - 1:30, Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski
1. Identifying Your Client: Who is and IS NOT Your Client?
2. How to Clearly Communicate the Scope of Representation
3. Billing Methods and Their Applications
4. Drafting Enforceable Fee Agreements
1. Governing Rules
2. Issues to Address (Including: Multiple Clients, Travel Time, Interest on the Client Trust Account, Attorneys' Liens, Credit Card Payments, Dispute Resolution Method, etc.)
3. Model Fee Agreement
4. Getting and Recording Client Acknowledgement/Response
5. WHEN AND HOW TO ETHICALLY DECLINE REPRESENTATION
   1:30 - 2:00, Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski
1. Deciding When a Case or a Client is a "Deal Breaker" for You
2. Knowing When You Must Step Down
3. Communicating Your Decision to the Potential Client
4. The Ethics of Referral Practices
5. Referral Fees and Associated Liability Risks
6. LEGAL ETHICAL DUTIES TO NON-CLIENTS
   2:00 - 2:15, Eric Romano and Jason T. Studinski

ERIC ROMANO is an attorney in the West Palm Beach law firm of Romano Law Group, where he practices in the areas of criminal defense, trial practice, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and business litigation. Mr. Romano is a former assistant state attorney with the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office. He has lectured to various professional groups on pre-trial investigation and discovery in criminal and civil cases and trial notebook issues. Mr. Romano earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University and his J.D. degree from Stetson University. He is a member of the American and Palm Beach County bar associations, the Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the Florida Justice Association, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Southern Trial Lawyers Association (president).

JASON T. STUDINSKI is a sole practitioner in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He represents victims in cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect, brain injury, wrongful death and other catastrophic injury cases. Mr. Studinski earned the F. Scott Baldwin Award in 2006, presented by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (American Association for Justice, an honor bestowed upon the most outstanding young trial lawyer in the country. He has been named one of the top lawyers in Wisconsin by the American Association of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Studinski has served on the board of directors for numerous non-profit organizations). He has served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Association for Justice and is an active member of the nursing home litigation group of the American Association for Justice. A tireless advocate for the forgotten, the abused, and the victimized, Mr. Studinski does more than simply handle cases. He has written numerous articles and lectured in the U.S. and Canada on nursing home abuse and neglect and other issues relating to trial advocacy. Mr. Studinski earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com