Attorney Ethics: Top 8 Perils to Avoid

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Accidentally Getting in Over Your Head
   11:00 - 11:20, Howard L. Lotven
   1. Pitfalls and Perils of Taking a Case Outside of Your Expertise
   2. Hidden Dangers in Cutting Corners at the Client's Request
   3. Inadequate Investigation, Discovery, and Documentation
2. File Management Mistakes, Calendaring Errors, and Missed Deadlines
   11:20 - 11:40, Howard L. Lotven
3. Accidentally Getting Ahead of the Client
   11:40 - 12:00, Howard L. Lotven
   1. Misunderstandings With Client About Scope of Authority
   2. Is There Even a Client?
   3. Engagement Letters - Top Attorney Mistakes
4. Problems With Attorney Fees and Client Funds
   12:00 - 12:20, Howard L. Lotven
   1. Budget Ranges and Reserves
   2. IOLTA Accounts
   3. Earmarking and Accounting
5. Failing to Recognize Conflicts: Waivers, Tips for Updating Conflict Searches, etc.
   12:20 - 12:40, Howard L. Lotven
6. Overestimating Odds of Success - Problems and Pitfalls
   12:40 - 1:00, Howard L. Lotven
   1. Clinically Evaluating the Client's Story
   2. Investigation Before Estimation
   3. Honesty About Case Weaknesses
   4. Projecting Confidence Without Overconfidence
7. Preventing Accidental Disclosures
   1:15 - 1:45, Howard L. Lotven
   1. Rules Governing Attorney-Client Privilege
   2. Over-Sharing Information
   3. Trains, Planes, Automobiles, Lobbies, and Elevators: Avoiding Critical Mistakes
   4. Email, Social Media, and Technology: Best Practices to Avoid Common Errors
8. Communications Shortcomings
   1:45 - 2:15, Howard L. Lotven

Accreditation Details:

Howard L. Lotven is a sole practitioner with the law office of Howard L. Lotven P.C. Mr. Lotven primarily represents clients in criminal/municipal courts and traffic courts. He has been either a prosecutor or a defense attorney in more than 10,000 cases. Mr. Lotven also represents clients in family law matters, including divorce, paternity, modification of child support, custody and visitation. His professional associations and memberships include the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (Municipal Court Committee; Family Law Committee; Criminal Law Section; Volunteer Attorney Project), The Missouri Bar (Criminal Law Committee; General Practice Committee), the Municipal Court Prosecutors Association of Western Missouri, the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association and the Association of Women Lawyers. Mr. Lotven is admitted to practice in Missouri and before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri and the U.S. Federal Court. He presently serves as a lecturer for the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association on practicing in municipal and traffic courts. Mr. Lotven earned his B.A. degree, with honors, from Drake University and his J.D. degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.