#1998-99/15 Conflict of Interest: Joint Petitions in Domestic Relations

Ethics Committee Formal Opinion #1998-99/15 ANNOTATIONS: A lawyer may not represent both parties with respect to the preparation or filing of a joint petition in a domestic relations matter. QUESTION PRESENTED: May an attorney with the consent and participation of both parties prepare and/or file a Joint Petition in a Domestic Relations matter? Read more

Rule 1.18 “Significantly Harmful” Guidance

Ethics Corner Article Dear Ethics Committee: I am a rural practitioner with two partners. I handle mostly estate planning matters; one of my partners focuses on civil litigation, and the other on marital and bankruptcy work. A few months ago, I received a phone call from a prospective client asking for help with administration of … Read more

Virtual Meetings

Ethics Corner Article Dear Ethics Committee, With virtual meetings replacing in-person meetings in my practice, what ethical obligations should I be thinking about? Answer: The duties to keep in mind are competence and confidentiality.  With respect to virtual meeting technology, we must maintain a generalist’s knowledge of the available technological platforms.  When we rely on … Read more

Online Presence and Client Confidences

Maintaining Client Confidences and Confidential Information While Increasing Your Online Presence Ethics Corner Article Dear Ethics Committee, With an increased number of people working from home, I am communicating with colleagues and clients over my computer and telephone now more than ever.  I would like to grow my online presence and begin marketing my services … Read more

#2019-20/03 Juror Investigation Using Social Media

Under Rule 3.5, a New Hampshire lawyer may review a juror’s public social media presence online but may not contact the juror and must avoid any notification that the juror’s social media platform has been accessed by the lawyer. While a lawyer must exercise care, a review of a juror’s social media presence may be ethically required in providing competent representation under Rule 1.1.

#2019-20/02 The Prospective Client: Confidentiality and Withdrawal Considerations

When a lawyer receives information from a prospective client which is materially adverse to the interests of the lawyer’s current client, is the lawyer authorized to reveal any information regarding the prospective client to his/her current client, and/or is the lawyer required to withdraw from representing the current client?