James W. Ozog, Author at Professional Liability Matters

March 22, 2017 Ethics / Law Practice Management

Ethics of Law Firm Dissolutions

All good things must come to an end. Professional firms are no exception. There are many reasons that a professional firm may close its doors; however, regardless of the cause, professionals must remain cognizant of their ethical duties to third-parties and clients throughout the dissolution process.

The DC Bar recently issued an ethics opinion addressing law firm dissolutions to help attorneys navigate the various rules of professional conduct that are implicated when a law firm terminates its existence as a legal entity. The Bar began …

October 16, 2015 Design Professionals (A&E)

Does the Implied Warranty of Habitability Extend to Architects?

First recognized in 1972, the implied warranty of habitability protects building buyers and owners from latent construction defects by permitting recourse from builders and sellers. In a case of first impression, the Illinois Appellate Court recently held that this theory does not extend to the work of an architect. The decision significantly impacts the defense of design professionals in Illinois and is worth considering for all design professionals and the attorneys who defend them.

The Illinois Supreme Court first adopted the implied warranty of habitability …