Opinion No. 2020-01 Inquiry No. 2020-1 March 2, 2020   Topic: Conflict of interest – former client; imputed conflicts; responsibilities

Topic: Use of altered “form” or boilerplate documents, and the disclosures required with their use. Digest: Real Estate practitioner, who

Topic: Practice and / or advertisement in New York jurisdiction by practitioner of Federal immigration law, who is not admitted

Topic: Law firm names; attorney advertising; use of logo; misleading the public. Digest: May a law firm enhance its name

Topic: Ethical issues for attorneys accepting payment by credit card. Digest: An attorney is permitted to accept client payments by

Topic: Confidentiality in settlements Digest: Inquiring counsel is not prohibited by Rule 8.4(c) or 8.4(d) of the New York Rules

Topic: Duty to report; where to report. Digest: Inquiring counsel, as plaintiff’s counsel, has no obligation to report alleged tortious

Topic: Accepting Compensation For Representation From Someone Other Than Client; Professional Independence of Lawyer; Conflict of Interest; Payment for Referrals

Topic: Safekeeping, payment and delivery of property. Digest: Notification of receipt of property; safekeeping; rendering accounts; payment or delivery of

Topic: New York equity partnership with and activity in New York by attorney admitted solely in the State of Massachusetts

Topic: Practice Limitations Placed on Retired Attorneys—Responsibility of Retired Attorneys to Identify Status on Letterhead Used in Pro Bono Representations

Topic: Attorney advertising using testimonials, superlatives, and statements regarding success and prominence. Digest: Attorney advertisements using superlative language and testimonials

Topic: The duties of an attorney who is subpoenaed to produce records and to testify concerning a prior engagement. Digest:

Topic: Whether a lawyer can represent a client in a sale or purchase of real estate where the lawyer’s wife

Topic: Duty to report misconduct of another attorney—Attorney’s responsibility to report an illegal solicitation. Digest: Inquiring attorney reports having observed

Topic: Conflict of interest – – an orthopedist refers a client to inquiring attorney and inquiring attorney pays the orthopedist

Topic: Duty to report misconduct of another attorney – Attorney’s responsibility to report suspicion that opposing attorney may be proffering

Topic: Conflict of interest – former client; preservation of confidential information. Matrimonial attorney interviewed by wife in divorce action later

Topic: An attorney who practices law privately and holds a position as the Teen Court Coordinator for a City Court

Topics: Conflict of interest of attorney in real estate transaction simultaneously acting as broker for seller and attorney for third-party

Topic: Preservation of confidence and secrets of client – attorney subpoenaed to testify against former client in civil litigation. Digest:

Topic: In retainer agreement, attorney seeks prior consent of the client to attorney withdrawal if payment has not been made

TOPIC: Multiple client representation, preservation of client loyalties, avoiding conflicts of interest, exercising independent professional judgment. DIGEST: An attorney who

TOPIC: Conflict of interest of attorney solicited by a medical service provider to represent patients in disputes with insurance carriers