Law Firm Defense Blog

Blogs

Defeating Estoppel-Based Claims In Legal Malpractice Actions

11/13/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Recent appellate decisions have demonstrated how many lawyers can use collateral estoppel as a viable defense to legal malpractice claims. For... Read More »

Navigating Jury Selection Ethics: ABA Opinion 517 Addresses AI Technology, Jury Consultants, and Client Directives

08/19/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

The American Bar Association’s Formal Opinion 517 provides guidance on when attorneys’ use of peremptory challenges may violate Model Rule... Read More »

Judicial Estoppel in Legal Malpractice Defense: Protecting Law Firms From Contradictory Client Claims

06/27/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Disputes between law firms and their former clients are an unfortunate reality. These situations become even more frustrating when former... Read More »

State Supreme Court Clarifies Statute of Limitations for Non-Client Claims Against Attorneys

06/12/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

The California Supreme Court recently resolved the question of which statute of limitations applies when attorneys face claims brought by... Read More »

10 Arbitrations And A 5th Circ. Ruling Flag Arb. Clause Risks

05/01/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Arbitration clauses in attorney engagement letters can transform how legal malpractice claims unfold. When disputes arise between lawyers and clients,... Read More »

Ethical Exits: ABA Formal Opinion 516, Permissive Withdrawal, and the Hot Potato Doctrine

04/04/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Most attorneys have encountered, at one point or another, challenging client situations that prompt consideration of withdrawal. Unlike the relative... Read More »

When the Lawyer Is the Victim: ABA’s New Guidance on Confidentiality and Client-Perpetrated Crimes

03/12/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

When a client turns from seeking your counsel to victimizing you or your staff, what ethical obligations still bind you?... Read More »

Wooden gavel resting on its end on a wooden table in front of an open law book conceptual of a judge or courtroom.

The Attorney – Client Relationship 101: Helpful Reminders Before, During and After Representation

02/03/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

Navigating the attorney-client relationship can be like a carefully choreographed dance – requiring precision, awareness, and mutual respect to achieve... Read More »

Organizational Lawyers and the Organization/Constituent Divide: Five Takeaways from ABA Formal Opinion 514

01/14/2025   |   BY Christopher R. Blazejewski

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Formal Opinion 514, issued on January 8, 2025, provides guidance on the ethical responsibilities of... Read More »

In-Person Client Meetings and COVID-19

04/12/2021   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

A fellow attorney just circulated a poll to his friends asking, “Are you starting to meet with your clients in... Read More »

hands typing on a keyboard with the outline of a lock to signify security

Reminder of Attorneys’ Ethical Obligations When Practicing Remotely

04/24/2020   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

The Pennsylvania Bar Association recently issued an Opinion that gives some reminders of our ethical obligations as attorneys as we... Read More »

stock photo of handing over resignation letter

Departure is Such Sweet Sorrow: Leaving Your Law Firm

11/07/2019   |   BY Edward S. Cheng

You may have just been invited to leave your current firm to join a prestigious big firm. Or maybe you... Read More »