Professionals are often entrusted with confidential information. Ethical rules as well as federal and state laws limit when such information may be accessed by professionals and under what circumstances it may be disseminated. Sure, professionals may be held accountable for errors that result in the unintended disclosure of confidential or sensitive data. However, liability is not limited to the professional directly responsible for the breach; rather, employers may be on the hook too. In fact, the employer may be responsible even if the employee’s conduct …
Continue ReadingAuthor: Michael P. Luongo
The Ethical Concerns of Blogging Professional Successes
Professionals have embraced social media as a means to promote their businesses and market their professional successes. Managing social media accounts and writing blog posts allow professionals to directly communicate with prospective clients and advance their brand. However, professionals must be cautious that marketing tactics in the new age of digital media do not run afoul of traditional ethics rules and statutes regulating advertising and communications with clients.
The State Bar of California Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct recently issued a formal opinion…
Continue ReadingLessons from Sony: Cyber Attack
Sony Pictures recently became the target of a sophisticated and debilitating digital attack. The first signs of the hack appeared in late November, when an image of a skull flashed on every employee’s computer screen accompanied by a threatening message that the company’s internal data had been compromised. The company initially experienced a shutdown of many of its computers. In the following days, the hackers began to leak private company data. Five Sony films, including four unreleased projects were leaked online, along with compensation …
Continue ReadingAdvertising Via Text is :(
We work in a competitive environment in which professionals seek various methods to reach would-be clients. Social media and other electronic resources may help professionals to connect and establish the brand. But, your friends at PL Matters routinely warn of the risks of new marketing methods that may infringe upon applicable ethics rules. A New York law firm recently learned that unsolicited text messaging may constitute improper advertising.
In a federal class action lawsuit, a class of plaintiffs alleged that a New York law …
Continue ReadingThe Dangers of Using Social Media in Hiring
Hiring a new employee is a major investment. Not surprisingly, many professionals utilize social media to screen potential candidates prior to making a hiring decision. Social media can help to confirm a candidate’s professional qualifications and provide insight whether the candidate is a good fit. At the same time, some employers may use social media to identify potential reasons to reject a candidate, such as posting compromising photographs or making inappropriate statements. Employers may feel justified in disqualifying a candidate based on their social media …
Continue ReadingRestricting Employee Online Activity? Be Careful
Professionals take great pains to develop a positive reputation. Consequently, like all employers, many professionals monitor employee online activity to ensure that it adheres to internal policies and ethical standards. At times, employers may be justified, or even expected, to take action to limit online activity, such as when an employee makes defamatory statements that could be attributed to the employer. On the other hand, however, employers must take care not to infringe upon an employee’s statutory rights to voice legitimate criticism of their …
Continue ReadingFormer Client May Sue Without Appealing Underlying Matter
Generally, a plaintiff has an obligation to mitigate her damages. In the context of a legal malpractice claim, the professional may argue that the plaintiff is obligated to cure the alleged harm by appealing the underlying issue. In the appropriate scenario, the defendant attorney may claim that the plaintiff had the last opportunity to avoid any damages but improperly filed a malpractice claim as opposed to appealing the underlying matter. Just how far must a plaintiff proceed with litigation before pointing a finger at former …
Continue ReadingDoes the “Private” E-mail Exist?
Innovations in technology have blurred the lines between work and private life. Many professionals regularly utilize personal devices, such as smart phones and tablets, while in the office, and can likewise access company files electronically through work-issued computers while at home. Given the lack of a bright-line distinction between that which is work and that which is private, employees may be tempted to engage in conduct on personal accounts or devices that would otherwise be clearly prohibited in the office.
Take, for instance, the recent …
Continue ReadingKnow When to Hold ‘Em, When to Close ‘Em
Although not nearly as satisfying, in many ways closing a file is just as important to a professional as opening one. How and when to close a file is a component of best practices. Most professionals follow some document retention protocol (and if you don’t, you should). But an interesting wrinkle arises when it’s not entirely clear when the engagement has come to an end. Some cases are withdrawn, some clients sign an engagement letter but do not pursue the claim, some clients decide to …
Continue ReadingCompany Image Policy Leads to Discrimination Claim
Successful professionals promote values of cultural diversity, inclusion, and teamwork. However, occasionally a company policy of general application may have the unintended consequence of infringing on the religious practices of individual employees. Professional employers must tread cautiously when such a situation arises. Unintended discrimination may nevertheless violate civil rights laws protecting religious liberty.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court agreed to hear such a case involving a national clothing retailer and a Muslim employee who was terminated for wearing a religious headscarf known as a …
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