Helping lawyers keep their footing on slippery ethical slopes is the primary focus of the 2007 Masters Seminar on Ethics.
The seminar, sponsored by The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on Professional Ethics, will take place from 8:45-11:30 a.m., June 29 at the Bar’s Annual Convention at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center.
“This will be a vehicle for summarizing scenarios where good attorneys can get themselves in trouble by not being up to date on ethical rules — or rules in general — and therefore not provide confident representation for their clients,” said Tim Thomes, the seminar’s chair. “We’re going to have presentations by an outstanding group, including judges and field experts.”
The seminar carries three hours of CLE ethics credit and will have speakers covering ethically themed topics.
“We have a very broad spectrum of attorneys interested in narrow issues and then attorneys who have a more generalized practice and want an ethical update on everything,” said Thomes.
The seminar will begin with Thomes and Sharon Press discussing ethical dilemmas in alternative dispute resolution and the impact of new rules and cases. Culver “Skip” Smith will discuss ethical responsibilities of outside agents, including investigators, claims adjusters, and, sometimes, office staff.
U.S. District Middle Judge Virginia M. Covington and Hernando County Judge Donald E. Scaglione will cover how judges view attorneys from the other side of the bench.
“Judges giving us their views is always helpful,” said Thomes. “As attorneys, we can be insular.”
Steven W. Teppler will explain how to remain ethically and technologically competent, and Jeffrey Albinson and Joseph Corsmeier will provide an ethical global positioning system to point out potholes “for the unwary.”
The unwary, Thomes said, can be anyone.
Thomes encourages registering early since last year’s program sold out quickly.
For more information, visit www.floridabar.org.
— Courtesy The Florida Bar