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The area
of Professional Liability & Ethics continues to expand and to
become more complex in its application. Attorneys must protect
themselves from ethical violations, unauthorized practice of
law charges and malpractice liability. They face regulatory
problems, fee forfeitures, extensive damages liability, and
insurance disputes with their carriers. Attorneys face conflicts
in rules of professional conduct as they practice from state
to state.
The area of Professional Liability & Ethics at the state level
requires specific education to ensure a clear understanding
of and compliance with the rules. In January 1999, the Supreme
Court of Virginia approved a revised code of ethics for the
Virginia lawyer. The Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct
(the "Virginia Rules"), which became effective on 1 January
2000, are the result of an extensive, multi-year effort by the
Virginia State Bar. The Virginia Rules combine the ABA Model
Rules of Professional Conduct (the "ABA Model Rules") and the
then-existing Virginia Code of Professional Responsibility (the
"Virginia Code"). Although the Virginia Rules adopted the format
of the ABA Model Rules and most of the Virginia Rules retain
the substance of the Virginia Code, there are subtle variations
from the ABA Model Rules and/or the Virginia Code that can be
complex.
Our Professional Liability & Ethics Practice is led by Bernard
J. DiMuro. Mr. DiMuro served as Chairman of the Virginia
State Bar Disciplinary Board and on the State Bar's Committee
to Study the Code of Professional Responsibility, which was
responsible for adopting the new Virginia Rules. He is also
a former chairman of the Eighth District Grievance Committee.
He has served on several related committees and teaches Continuing
Legal Education courses on ethics. Mr. DiMuro has represented
attorneys in defense of legal malpractice claims and has and
will appear as an expert witness in their defense.
Our Professional Liability & Ethics Practice includes expertise
in national and Virginia rules applying to:
See Also:
Litigation
Legal Malpractice Claims: Ten Ways
to Avoid the Disciplinary System
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