Florida Bar CLE sponsored by the Senior Lawyers Committee
Webinar
Crossing the Line: Zealous Advocacy or Unprofessional and Unethical Conduct
Crossing the Line: Zealous Advocacy or Unprofessional and Unethical Conduct
Sponsored by The Florida Bar Senior Lawyers Committee, the CLE was moderated by Vice Chair Dick Caldwell, Jr., and included Scott Tozian, a former prosecutor and former Florida Bar staff counsel who primarily defends lawyers in grievance cases and Tampa attorney Chris Altenbernd, a former Second District Court of Appeal judge who represents The Florida Bar.
Key points addressed during the presentation included:
- The incidence of lawyer conduct resulting in disciplinary sanctions is definitely on the increase, as is the tendency of the Supreme Court of Florida to invoke harsh sanctions more frequently than in the past.
- The primary causes of disciplinary problems include: (a) personal issues, including stress, depression and substance abuse, (b) incivility in face-to-face dealings, (c) exhibiting a lack of respect for the judiciary, and (d) misuse of social media and e-mail communication.
- Candor and honesty in dealings with clients, other lawyers and the Florida Bar is a basic requirement of Bar membership, and is essential in avoiding disciplinary issues.
Read more about the event in The Florida Bar News.