Non-Compete Clauses: Safe for Lawyers
Ethics Corner Article New Hampshire Bar News – November 18, 2011 Dear Ethics Committee: I am a solo practitioner with a successful practice in a rural part of the state. I rely on several institutional clients –
2011
#2011-12/07 Limitations on Client Gifts to a Lawyer
The Committee analyzed several scenarios where a lawyer was asked by a client to benefit either the lawyer or the lawyer’s family by a present or testamentary gift. In this opinion, the Committee discussed the issues of direct gifts to the lawyer, gifts to individual related both to the testator and the lawyer, and a gift to a charitable organization for which the lawyer raised funds.
#2011-12/05 Outsourcing Legal and Non-Legal Support Services
May a New Hampshire attorney outsource litigation support services, such as document review, to a company located overseas, on a temporary or an ongoing basis? Must that attorney notify the client of the use of these services?
#2011-12/04 Foregoing Professional Conduct Complaints
A lawyer may not condition settlement of a dispute with a client upon the client agreeing not to file professional conduct complaint against the lawyer.
#2011-12/03 Limitations on “Million Dollar Advocate” & “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” Advertising
Advertising that a lawyer is a “million dollar advocate” or is a member of the “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” is permissible only if the advertisement includes an appropriate disclaimer.
#2010/11-01 Collecting Attorney’s Fees – Debt Forgiveness and Reporting to Regulating Agency
In an attempt to collect an unpaid bill, an attorney may not (a) threaten to or actually inform the Internal Revenue Service that the attorney has written off the account receivable and considers the unpaid legal fees a debt that has been forgiven, or (b) inform a regulatory agency that a client owes unpaid fees to the attorney.