No good deed goes unpunished - learn ethical considerations when representing family and friends.
It is almost inevitable. At some point in every attorney’s career, they will be asked to represent family and friends. Sometimes it is very formal, such as representing a family member or friend as part of their ongoing business operations, or sometimes it is a specific representation, such as the purchase of real estate. And sometimes, it sneaks up on the attorney, being asked for advice and getting sucked in. This course will address some of the many issues that may arise in representing family and friends. The goal is to assist the attorney in knowing if they are, sometimes unknowingly, undertaking representation, making the decision whether or not to represent, and if choosing to do so, how to do so effectively and ethically.
Agenda
Application of Typical Ethics Rules as They Apply to Representation of Family and Friends
Ethics Rules That Particularly Apply When Representing Family and Friends
Issues That May Arise Even When Not Representing Family and Friends
Situations to Be Explored Include the Obvious, Less Obvious, and Much Less Obvious
Obvious
- Loan to Lawyer
- Estate Planning Documents, Such as a Will Benefiting the Lawyer
Less Obvious
- Estate Planning Document to Benefit Someone Lawyer Cares About
- Loan to Someone Lawyer Cares About to Benefit
Much Less Obvious
- Aunt Sally Is Happy You Helped Cousin Joe; Aunt Sally Makes It up to You
- Not My Area of Expertise - In the Movie ‘My Cousin Vinny,’ Vincent Gambini, a Very Recent Law School Graduate, Finds Himself Representing Family Members Charged With Murdering a Convenience Store Worker; What Was One of the Reasons Why He Was Hired? He Was Free; So, (Spoiler Alert), He Got a Good Result; Yet, as a Practical Matter, He Was Practicing Law Outside His Home
- Jurisdiction, in an Area of Law for Which He Had Little Knowledge and no Experience, and It Was a Jury Trial to Boot
Speakers
Michael A. Lampert,
Law Offices of Michael A. Lampert, PA- A board-certified tax lawyer in West Palm Beach where he concentrates his practice in the areas of tax, estate planning and administration, with an emphasis on tax controversy matters
- He is past chair of the Florida Bar Tax Section, and is its 2020-2021 recipient of the Tax Lawyer of the Year Award
- He is past president of the Palm Beach Tax Institute and is currently serving as vice chair of the Florida Bar Tax Law Certification Committee
- He is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a member of the South Florida Tax Litigation Association, a past chairman of the Palm Beaches - Treasure Coast Region Chapter of the American Red Cross, and immediate past president of the Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Palm Beach County
- LL.M. degree in taxation, New York University; J.D. degree, Duke University; A.B. degree, University of Miami
- Can be contacted at 561-689-9407, michael@lamperttaxlaw.com or www.taxandelderlaw.com
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is primarily designed for attorneys. Other legal professionals may also benefit from attending.
