Trials

Expert Analysis

• ABA Rules For Departing Attys Set Unprecedented Limits

  

  Groundbreaking rules from the American Bar Association impose new standards on how law firms can govern departing lawyers’ contact with clients, placing major restrictions on this ubiquitous practice, say Amy Richardson and Hilary Gerzhoy at Harris Wiltshire.

• Nissan Ex-CEO Illustrates Do's And Don'ts Of Image Repair

  

  Lawyers can draw a number of useful lessons about reputation management from the efforts of former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn — who recently escaped house arrest in Tokyo — to restore his sullied reputation, says Elizabeth Ortega at ECO Strategic Communications.

• 3 Concerns If Your Witness Becomes Flippant At Deposition

  

  In light of a recent Delaware Supreme Court case in which a litigator was rebuked for failing to control his evasive witness during a deposition, attorneys should consider when they may be held responsible for client misconduct and what to do if a client crosses the line, says Philip Sechler of Robbins Russell.

• Litigating FRAND Rates After Fed. Circ. Ericsson Decision

  

  After the Federal Circuit’s recent ruling in TCL v. Ericsson, which puts juries at the helm of calculating FRAND damages for standard-essential patents, litigators should focus on preparing a simplified and emotionally persuasive story and garnering the evidentiary support necessary for a favorable appeal, says Larry Sandell of Mei & Mark.

• How Associate Life Has Evolved Over The Past Decade

  

  During the last 10 years, the need to embrace change was fundamental for law firms, and that change affected associates in many ways — most, but not all, for the better, says Brad Kaufman, co-president of Greenberg Traurig.

• 2nd Circ. Ruling Could Lower Bar For Insider Trading Charges

  

  ​​​​​​​The Second Circuit’s recent decision in U.S. v. Blaszczak potentially makes it easier to prosecute insider trading cases by ruling the government doesn't need to prove an insider received any personal benefit in exchange for sharing material, nonpublic information, say attorneys at Goodwin.

• Why Reformers Want Disclosure Of 3rd-Party MDL Funding

  

  With third-party litigation funding increasingly being used to finance large and prolonged multidistrict litigations, more disclosure of funding agreements may be warranted to address potential biases and distortions of control and decision-making, say attorneys at Duane Morris.

• Series

  Judging A Book: Dyk Reviews 'Democracy And Equality'

  

  In their new book "Democracy and Equality: The Enduring Constitutional Vision of the Warren Court," Geoffrey Stone and David Strauss provide valuable context for U.S. Supreme Court decisions under Chief Justice Earl Warren that have profoundly affected the country, but their overly protective attitude sometimes obscures reality, says Federal Circuit Judge Timothy Dyk.

• Rodeo Ruling Clarifies Atty Conflict Rules In Derivative Suits

  

  While the Texas Supreme Court's recent decision not to disqualify Kelly Hart & Hallman's representation of owners of the Billy Bob's Texas rodeo in a dispute over control of the business is noteworthy, its clarification on firms' conflicts of interest in derivative cases is the more important point, says former Texas Court of Appeals Justice Douglas Lang, of Dorsey & Whitney.

• 7 Insider Tips For Working With In-House Counsel

  

  For outside firms wondering how to best support busy in-house lawyers, several practices can help navigate critical legal issues and novel business challenges while strengthening the working relationship, says Virginia Hudson, associate general counsel at Capital One.

• 50 Years Later, Interpretive Challenges Remain For RICO

  

  In the 50 years since the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act was passed, courts' attempts to clarify the statute have had some success, but many interpretive dilemmas remain unresolved, says Randy Gordon of Barnes & Thornburg.

• 7 Ethics Tips For Lawyers' Pretrial Social Media Use

  

  As ethical constraints on pretrial social media use evolve, the American Bar Association's Model Rules and several court opinions provide guidance on avoiding violations when collecting evidence, researching jurors and friending judges, say Hilary Gerzhoy and Mark Davis at Harris Wiltshire.

• Opinion

  States Should Not Follow ABA On Attorney Conduct Rules

  

  Because the American Bar Association's new rule on diversity continues to use the Model Rules of Professional Conduct as a cultural bludgeon, states should create independent codes limited to constitutionally valid purposes of attorney regulation, says Bradley Abramson of Alliance Defending Freedom.

• How Courts And Litigants Can Benefit From Special Masters

  

  As we approach the first anniversary of the American Bar Association's adoption of guidelines for the appointment and use of special masters in civil litigation, retired U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin, now at Stroock, explains how special masters can help parties and courts with faster decision-making and subject matter expertise.

• Uber Policy Calls For Refresher On ABA Confidentiality Rules

  

  Uber's recent policy update allowing drivers to audio-record passenger rides is a reminder for lawyers to observe the highest standard of care in protecting client information under the American Bar Association's confidentiality model rule, says Paul Boehm at Williams & Connolly.