Ethics Courses are Imperative for Family Law Attorneys

January 11, 2012 · 0 comments

Family Law and Client Grievances

Avoiding client grievances in family law practice

As family law practitioners know all too well, working in this practice area is often like running through a minefield. Divorce and child custody clients are highly charged with emotions like anger and depression. One small misstep can send a client through the roof, and straight to the Grievance Oversight Committee with a complaint.  Because family law attorneys deal with clients who are experiencing high levels of stress and unstable emotions, they must be especially diligent in seeking out CLE courses in ethics specifically geared for family law attorneys.

Ethical dilemmas faced by attorneys representing children and families are often unaddressed in the professional conduct rules.  Family law attorneys face a wide range of ethical dilemmas from the business side in crafting fee agreements for couples who are divorcing to counseling dilemmas encountered in family violence situations.

Be sure to stay current and informed on the latest in Family Law issues and ethics. One resource for family law attorneys is Ethical Issues in Family Representation by Professor Barbara Glesner Finesan, assistant dean at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, who teaches a course on family law ethics.

 

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Avoiding the ‘Injury’ of Grievances Against PI Lawyers

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“Where there’s a will, there’s relatives.”

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Contingency fees – when a penny saved is NOT a penny earned

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Changes in the grievance process: What they mean for you

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In 2003, the State Bar changed the Rules regarding the filing of grievance complaints. Budget cuts drove the changes, but the overall result is that there are steps in place to prevent the grievance accusation from going unjustly too far. The State Bar act was [...]

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Keep this number handy

June 3, 2011
Texas State Bar Ethics Helpline

If you have questions and need advice about things that may be considered ethical gray areas, call the State Bar’s Ethics Helpline – 800-532-3947. The helpline service took more than 4,900 calls in the 2009 fiscal year, which actually seems like a low number to [...]

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