On the Pulse…Marshall Dennehey Introduces Lawyers’ Professional Liability Disciplinary Board Representation

By Edwin A.D. Schwartz, Esq.*

Everyone likes surprises, but not all surprises are well-liked. This can be especially true when you receive notification from the state disciplinary board that a former client, colleague or opposing counsel has reported your actions as violating the code of conduct that governs all attorneys. While we’ve all heard the maxim, “It’s the practice of law, not the perfection of law,” there are certain immovable cornerstones in the practice of law that serve as the foundation of the profession. Codes of conduct in the legal profession protect the integrity of the practice as a whole and act to ensure that the continued trust clients place in attorneys is well-founded.

The conduct and actions of attorneys are governed by a complex series of rules of professional conduct, rules of civility and ethical practice considerations. To address the continuing spectrum of our professional liability clients’ needs, we are now defending attorneys facing disciplinary matters before the disciplinary boards and/or agencies in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida. Our team of experienced litigators, combined with our physical office presence in each of the above jurisdictions, makes us a unique leader in defending these clients.

Lawyers facing disciplinary board actions need experienced legal representation. Marshall Dennehey attorneys representing clients in these matters are experienced and well-versed in the procedures of the process. Our ability to collaborate on legal strategy and coordinate defense efforts between our respective offices allows for significant cost savings to our clients and facilitates timely outcomes in disciplinary matters so that our clients can continue their professional activities with minimal interruption. Our goal remains to be the most effective advocates on behalf of our clients throughout the disciplinary process while also being cognizant to the client’s cost and time expenditures.

We welcome the opportunity to work with you in addressing any disciplinary matters that you may be faced with, and we will strive to ensure that your options are understood and your interests are protected. Our attorneys are always available to discuss any inquires you may have regarding the disciplinary board process.

*Edwin Schwartz is a shareholder in our Harrisburg, Pennsylvania office and focuses his practice on professional liability matters. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s sub-committee on Professional Responsibility and Ethics, and he is frequently asked to speak on professional ethics and malpractice avoidance topics at state and county bar association functions. He has served as a moderator and presenter at more than a dozen professional liability seminars focusing on issues of professional malpractice avoidance, risk assessment, mitigation and best practices. He may be reached at easchwartz@mdwcg.com.

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Defense Digest, Vol. 22, No. 3, September 2016. Defense Digest is prepared by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1. © 2016 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm. For reprints, contact tamontemuro@mdwcg.com.