Ethics Update for Virginia Lawyers 2025

This registration form is for Wednesday, December 10, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET

  • Webcast with Live Q&A
  • Telephone with Live Q&A

This program is also available on:

Monday, April 14, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET

Thursday, October 9, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET

  • Live on Site in Richmond/Innsbrook at the Bobzien-Gaither Education Center
    4801 Cox Road, Suite 108
    Glen Allen, VA 23060
  • Webcast with Live Q&A
  • Telephone with Live Q&A

Tuesday, October 21, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET

  • Webcast with Live Q&A
  • Telephone with Live Q&A
MCLE Credit: 2.0 (Ethics: 2.0)
Live-Interactive Credit: 2.0 (all dates, all formats)
Designation Credit: 2.0 Ethics (Designations Information)

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Why Attend?

  • Stay up to date on the latest changes and case law affecting the practice of law, including the use of generative AI, confidentiality, and the rise in legal practice by non-lawyers.
  • Get guidance on fee agreements that attempt to limit a client’s right to settle a case or terminate representation.
  • Learn confidentiality requirements applicable to writing an article about a former client’s legal matter (NYSBA Opinion 1268).
  • Examine some recent ABA Formal Opinions and how they may affect you.
  • Gain an understanding of the disciplinary process from intake and investigation to proceedings and discipline.
  • Explore real-world examples of ethical missteps in trust accounting, fees, conflicts of interest, competence, and communication, and learn how to avoid these situations.

Legal ethics is now one of the most dynamic and difficult areas of law. Every year brings significant changes to and new interpretations of existing ethics rules, all of which can profoundly affect your daily practice. Additionally, emerging technology continues to shape the practice of law, but it needs to be used correctly and in compliance with the rules. Hear from the people who run Virginia’s system to help you keep up to date and avoid potential ethics traps.

Topic Agenda

Hot Topics in the Law of Ethics

  • Continuing discussion of generative AI in legal practice
  • Business and employment relationships with non-lawyers and the continued rise in legal practice by non-lawyers
  • Guidance on fee agreements that attempt to limit a client’s right to settle a case or terminate representation
  • ABA Formal Opinion 514 on a lawyer’s obligations when advising an organization about conduct that may create legal risks for the organization’s constituents
  • Prospective client conflicts and ABA Formal Opinion 510
  • Confidentiality when writing an article about a former client’s legal matter (NYSBA Opinion 1268)

Review of the Most Significant Disciplinary Cases from the Past Year, Plus Rule and Procedural Changes

  • Disciplinary statistics
  • Competency, neglect and abandonment of client matters, failure to communicate
  • Fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation
  • Trust account and fee issues
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Candor toward the tribunal
  • Diligence
  • Noncompliance with terms
  • Criminal conduct and convictions

Registration Deadlines:

Webcast:

10 minutes prior to seminar. If you register for a webcast the day of the seminar, your e-mail receipt will include a link to launch the seminar and download the materials.

Telephone:

Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. the day preceding the seminar
Call (800) 979-8253 to register up to one hour prior to the seminar

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 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.

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.

Private recording of this program is prohibited.

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.