Ethics Bootcamp for the Busy Practitioner

• Get the headlines from the VSB Disciplinary System, including the most recent public cases, trends, and statistics.
• Understand the VSB’s mission of public protection and how the VSB investigates allegations of misconduct.
• Discover the most common ethics issues facing practitioners from conflicts of interest and botched appeals to subpar communication with clients (and some easy steps to help avoid them).
• Identify red flags that can signal attorney misconduct.
• Distinguish between retainers, fixed fees, and advanced legal fees and the trust accounting requirements that apply to each.
• Learn how to protect clients when an attorney becomes ill or incapacitated, including some preventive measures to take now in the event that tragedy someday strikes.

This program is designed to educate attorneys on the VSB Disciplinary System and how it investigates allegations of ethical misconduct by attorneys. Including four separate sessions, this course will highlight recent public cases resulting in findings of ethical misconduct by attorneys and provide a statistical overview of the most commonly violated Rules of Professional Conduct. 

Our speakers will focus on the most common types of ethical misconduct committed by attorneys and provide practical guidance on steps attorneys can take to reduce the risk of those violations. The core topics will include how to properly communicate with and diligently represent clients, including the “difficult client”; how to identify conflicts of interest; and how to differentiate between types of fees and understand when those fees should be held in trust. 

Our speakers will also address attorney wellness and how mental and physical illness can impact an attorney’s ability to practice law and place an attorney’s clients at risk. They will emphasize succession-planning and other precautionary measures attorneys can take to protect their clients in the event tragedy suddenly prevents them from practicing law.

ATTENDING IN PERSON?

The Bobzien-Gaither Education Center in Richmond/Innsbrook is our new state-of-the-art facility designed with your safety in mind. It features a Centurion air filtration system, which quickly and effectively eliminates viruses and bacteria. Additionally, the facility is thoroughly cleaned before each seminar, and face masks and hand sanitizer will be available.

COVID-19 POLICY FOR LIVE-ON-SITE ATTENDANCE

By attending a live-on-site Virginia CLE^® seminar, you acknowledge the health risks associated with COVID-19 and that you MUST follow all Virginia CLE^® COVID-19 policies. You may NOT attend a live-on-site program if you have tested positive for COVID-19, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or if you are under any self-quarantine orders per CDC guidelines.

Registration Deadlines:

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $60 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE^®.

Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.

Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions and are attending the seminar in person, please email deanna.mcglothlin@vacle.org.

Inclement Weather Policy and Updates.

MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.

Can’t Attend?

E-mail distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program’s seminar materials are made available for sale.