Thanks for visiting my Newsblog. Periodically, I update this Newsblog and report on my law related activities and some extracurricular happenings of note. I also insert a few photos of events that might be of interest to clients, friends of the firm and colleagues, and otherwise try to keep things fresh.
Through 2009 and into 2010, I have been handling various attorney ethics cases. After chairing the District X Ethics Committee for Morris and Sussex Counties in 2003-2004, I began representing lawyers in ethics cases. That practice is somewhat unique and specialized. Given that I had the necessary experience in the ethics system and also 20 years of litigation practice under my belt, it seemed to be a good fit for me. Representing attorneys in ethics cases has become a mainstay of my practice.
In 2009, the New Jersey Law Journal published an article I wrote entitled, "Strategies to Avoid Attorney Ethics Complaints and Tips for Surviving an Investigation." That article was in the Practice Papers section of the Law Journal and also in the on-line version of the NJLJ. I have included the piece in my "Press" section of this website.
Throughout 2009, I served as the President of the Morris County Bar Foundation. The MCBF is the charitable arm of the Morris County Bar Association and serves to foster and maintain the honor and integrity of the practice of law, facilitate the administration of justice and improve relations among lawyers, the judiciary and the public. The Foundation runs three major events during the year: the Lawyers for Kids 5K Race; the annual Morris County Bar Foundation Golf Outing, and the Foundation Softball Tournament. The proceeds from these events goes to various charitable organizations that meet the Foundation's objectives. We had a great year and raised substantial money for worthy charitable causes.
My rock & roll band, "The Impostors" played at the Lawyers for Kids 5K Race on July 9, 2009, in pre-race festivities. The weather was beautiful and more than 550 participants were at the race.
In January 2010, I was sworn in as President Elect of the Morris County Bar Association. The MCBA Installation dinner was held at the Morris County Golf Club in Morris Township, New Jersey, and 185 attorneys attended this annual ceremony. It was a fun night and I kept my comments to the audience to less than 5 minutes, which I believe was a popular decision.
In February 2010, I began planning a seminar with a sub-committee of other attorneys with the MCBA. The seminar will be entitled, "Fundamentals of Ethics" and "Professionalism Pitfalls" and will be conducted in two parts by the Morris County Bar Association on March 24, 2010 and March 31, 2010, at the Hyatt Hotel in Morristown, N.J. The seminar will focus on the basic structure of the attorney ethics system, the Rules of Professional Conduct, common ethical problems that can be avoided, and an overview of discipline which has been meted out in the past for ethical transgressions. In terms of professionalism, the panel will address how to be an advocate without "crossing the line." Our seminar will qualify for credit under the newly instituted mandatory continuing legal educational requirements for ethics and professionalism. Knowing the panelists and program we are planning, I expect the seminar to be informative and also entertaining. I hope to see my attorney colleagues in the audience!
Please click on thumbnails to view larger photo images.
