Navigating Conflicts of Interest: A Legal Ethics Guide

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Analyzing Conflicts of Interest: Legal Essentials
   10:00 — 10:45, Brian Waid
   1. Relevant Rules of Professional Conduct
   2. Determining Whether an Attorney-Client Relationship Exists: What You Must Know
   3. Useful Tips for Avoiding Conflicts
   4. Running Regular Audits of Former, Prospective, and Current Clients: Why It Matters
   5. Preventing Conflicts During Intake
   6. Following Up With Prospective Clients: Dos and Don'ts
   7. Defining Who the Client Is: Essential Guidelines
   8. How to Avoid the Implication of a Continuing Relationship With Former Clients
   9. Identifying and Analyzing Conflicts: Former Clients, Prospective Clients, etc.
2. When a Conflict Exists: Key Steps to Take
   10:45 — 11:30, Brian Waid
   1. Differentiating Consentable vs. Prohibited Conflicts
   2. The Informed Consent Standard - Explained
   3. Using Waivers to Resolve a Conflict: When and How
   4. Withdrawing From Representation: Legal Best Practices
3. Grey Areas and Conflict Checks Gone Wrong (With Real-Life Examples)
   11:45 — 12:15, Cari Sheehan
4. Imputation of Conflicts of Interest - A Deep Dive
   12:15 — 12:45, Cari Sheehan
5. Disqualification Motions: What You Need to Know
   12:45 — 1:15, Cari Sheehan

Accreditation Details:

Cari L Sheehan is of counsel in Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Indianapolis office and is a member of the litigation department. Ms. Sheehan serves as professional responsibility counsel to the firm and focuses on various legal ethics and professional responsibility matters. She has represented clients in state and federal courts in Indiana and Illinois. Ms. Sheehan is admitted to practice in Indiana and Illinois. Ms. Sheehan also is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern districts of Indiana, U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern districts of Illinois, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana and Northern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Indianapolis Bar Association, and the Saint Thomas More Legal Society. She earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of Southern Indiana and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

 

Brian J Waid is a principal in Waid Law Office, PLLC in Seattle. Mr. Waid has more than 40 years of experience in civil litigation and appeals, including substantial experience representing clients in legal malpractice claims and attorney fee disputes. His legal practice is focused primarily on malpractice claims by clients against their former attorneys. However, he also is the author of the winning briefs in two of the Washington Supreme Court's seminal insurance bad faith cases, Mutual of Enumclaw Ins. Co. v. Dan Paulson Construction Co. and Kirk v. Mt. Airy Insurance Co.; and represented the plaintiff class in the Microsoft "perma-temps" litigation as its designated trial attorney. Mr. Waid received his J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska. He has been a frequent lecturer and author on a wide variety of legal ethics and malpractice topics for numerous professional groups. Mr. Waid is a member of the Washington State, American and King County bar associations.