COVID-19 Law Library News

Lawyers and Their Ethical Duties During the Coronavirus Pandemic

By David M. Majchrzak 

Klinedinst PC regularly assists individual attorneys and law firms of all sizes with issues involving ethical obligations, risk management, and general law firm management. Understandably, the unique coronavirus, COVID-19, has brought unique challenges to many in the profession. And, as has been the case for decades, we are here to help.

Often, we have found that lawyers are uncertain regarding the best way to address, among other issues, the following:

  • Ethical requirements regarding communication, competence, and diligence. Even while the world is seemingly on hold, it is not. And it is important to stay current in all matters so that lawyers are not deluged once offices and courts reopen, and social distancing ends.
  • Reviewing and understanding court closures and new local rules. The various jurisdictions in California have responded to the pandemic with different provisions based on the type of matter and where proceedings are venued. It is crucial for lawyers to understand what is possible and what is necessary to still do.
  • Proactive advance planning for filings. There are often new obstacles to timely filing. To accommodate this, lawyers may need to have papers finalized more in advance of filing deadlines than they traditionally have.
  • Ethical billing practices. It is natural that workflow will be impacted based when businesses and employees are forced to work in a different way, or not at all. There are steps to take to ensure that the billing remains proper and to place attorneys and their firms in the best position to continue cash flows as normal as possible.

If you need answers to your questions, regardless of the aspect of your practice, please let us know.

About the Author

Photo of David M. Majchrzak
David M. Majchrzak

David M. Majchrzak is a seasoned ethicist, civil litigator, and certified specialist by the State Bar of California in legal malpractice law, is rated AV®-Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been selected to Super Lawyers. He is a shareholder, who works primarily out of Klinedinst PC’s San Diego office, serves as the firm’s Deputy General Counsel, and chairs the firm’s writing committee and attorney training college. Mr. Majchrzak represents clients in matters involving attorney and law firm risk management, discipline defense, and legal malpractice claims. And he has served as an expert on legal ethics issues.

Please Note

This article is intended to be for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute legal advice. The law is constantly changing and the information may not be complete or correct depending on the date of the article and your particular legal problem. The use of information from this article does not create any type of attorney-client relationship.

About Klinedinst

Klinedinst is the go-to firm for clients looking for litigation, trial experience, transactional representation, and legal counsel.  The firm’s offices in Los AngelesSacramentoSan DiegoIrvine, and Seattle service the entire West Coast. What sets Klinedinst apart is the relationship our attorneys foster with each and every client. Klinedinst lawyers are indispensable strategic partners to business leaders, helping to achieve business objectives and create proactive solutions to resolve the many legal challenges that businesses are confronted with every day.  Whether vigorously advocating for business clients in court, or guiding business transactions and negotiations, Klinedinst is the trusted legal advisor to have by your side.