Agenda / Content Covered

Session Time: 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM Eastern
Break: 2:15 PM - 2:30 PM Eastern
Presenter: Peter L. Ostermiller

1. Failure to Identify Conflicts That Arise After Representation Starts
   1. Updating Conflicts Searches: Why It Matters
   2. Unenforceability of Future Waivers
   3. Informed Consent
   4. Withdrawing Representation: Essential Guidelines
2. Co-Counsel Relationships: Pitfalls to Avoid
3. Underestimating Fees
   1. The Guesstimating Trap and Need for Real Budgeting
   2. Budget Ranges and Reserves
4. File Management Pitfalls
5. Accidental Mismanagement of Funds
   1. Earmarking and Accounting
   2. IOLTA and Client Trust Accounts
6. Mistakes Made When Terminating Representation
7. Thorny Issues Related to Accidental Disclosures
   1. Disclosing Confidential Client Information to Friends and Family
   2. Top E-Mail Mistakes to Avoid
8. Attorney-Client Communication Disasters
   1. Duty to Communicate With Clients: What You Need to Know
   2. Timeliness
   3. Empathy
   4. Substance
9. Inadequate Investigation and Discovery
10. Social Media, Tech, and Advertising Mistakes
    1. Issues With Solicitation and Reviews
    2. Potential Risks in Posting on Social Media Accounts
    3. Misrepresenting Services Online
    4. Using the Internet Ethically: Legal Best Practices
    5. Technology Incompetence - Top Attorney Mistakes

Accreditation Details:

PETER L. OSTERMILLER is a sole practitioner concentrating in legal ethics and professional responsibility matters. Mr. Ostermiller represents attorneys in disciplinary and reinstatement proceedings, judges in judicial ethics matters, and bar exam applicants. He has also represented parties in attorney’s fee dispute proceedings; attorneys in legal proceedings in which sanctions have been sought against the attorney; represented parties in attorney disqualification proceedings; and counseled lawyers and law firms in their respective rights, responsibilities and duties to other attorneys and their clients. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville Bar Association and the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers. Mr. Ostermiller served on the Kentucky Bar Association's Ethics 2000 Committee which proposed changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct to the KBA, which resulted in the July 2009 revisions to the Ethics Rules. He graduated with his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Louisville.