Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 4:02(9)

Brief Summary
Two years after allowing in-house practice under Rule 5.5, Massachusetts has adopted S.J.C. Rule 4:02(9), an annual registration requirement for in-house lawyers.  

Complete Summary
The new rule takes effect June 1, 2008, and lawyers will have until July 15, 2008, to register.

Registering lawyers must still meet the criteria of Rule 5.5(d). In addition, the application must contain certificates of good standing from each jurisdiction in which the attorney is licensed or explain why the attorney is not in good standing. The rule also requires in-house attorneys to limit their Massachusetts practice to in-house work. An authorized representative of the client organization must also sign the registration statement.

An attorney who subsequently terminates employment with a particular organization must file a supplemental statement of change under Rule 4:02(1), regardless of whether the attorney intends to continue to practice law in Massachusetts.

Significance of Rule
This rule is consistent with the important trend toward broader reciprocal admissions. It also allows Massachusetts to keep closer tabs on in-house lawyers.

This alert has been prepared by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. It is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship.

Upcoming Events

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP and The Hildebrandt Institute Present: The Three-Part Law Firm Risk Management Virtual Seminar Series

Two Remaining Seminars:

May 15, 2008: Third Party Claims for Lawyers: Is There Life After Stoneridge

July 16, 2008: Impaired and Poorly Behaving Partners: Managing the Risks 

Third Party Claims for Lawyers: Is There Life After Stoneridge

May 15, 2008, Noon-1:30 pm EST

Speakers
Rebecca Lambreth, Partner, Duane Morris LLP
Anthony Davis, Partner, Lawyers for the Profession® Practice Group, Hinshaw Culbertson LLP

Program Overview
One of the most important (and disturbing) developments in law firm risk management in recent years has been the increased willingness of plaintiff’s lawyers, government agencies, and courts to hold lawyers and law firms culpable for the actions or omissions of their clients. We have seen these so-called “third party claims” in a wide variety of contexts, from securities fraud cases to abusive tax shelter claims to cases involving circumstances of deepening insolvency. In January, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Stoneridge Investment Partners v. Scientific-Atlanta, a case that affirms the limited ability of plaintiffs in securities fraud cases to reach lawyers and other providers of services to defendant companies. 

This virtual seminar will bring together two highly knowledgeable and experienced practitioners to discuss these and related issues.

Topics to Include

• The circumstances under which lawyers can still be held liable for the actions or omissions of their clients; 
• Potential liability for lawyers as third-party defendants in securities fraud cases after Stoneridge, and whether the “aiding and abetting” claim still has relevance;
• The seriousness of the threat of lawyers being held liable for the actions of their clients in deepening insolvency circumstances; 
• What lawyers and law firms can do to protect themselves against such claims going forward; 
• Red flags” in this area that firm managements should pay attention to.

REGISTER NOW or call 866-872-5840

Impaired and Poorly Behaving Partners: Managing the Risks

July 16, 2008, Noon-1:30 pm EST

Speakers
Thomas L. Browne, Lawyers for the Profession® Practice Group, Hinshaw Culbertson LLP
Tom H. Luetkemeyer, Lawyers for the Profession® Practice Group, Hinshaw Culbertson LLP
Dr. Larry R. Richard, Vice President and Head of the Leadership & Organization Development Practice Group, Hildebrandt International

Program Overview
Dealing with “problem” partners has always been a challenge for law firm leaders. In recent years, however, it has also become a serious area of risk exposure as state bars, regulatory agencies, clients, and plaintiff’s lawyers have been increasingly willing to charge firms with accountability for the “lack of supervision” often evidenced in such behaviors.  In this virtual seminar, you will hear three experts ― two professional responsibility lawyers and one lawyer/psychologist ― describe the nature of these risks and offer some practical advice on dealing with these problems. 

Topics to Include

• Ways of identifying “problem” partners before the problems cause serious damage;
• Methods for dealing with impaired or poorly behaving partners that protect the interests of the partners and the firm;
• Circumstances in which “problem” partners must be reported to the local bar;
• Understanding the psychological issues that can give rise to problems and how to short-circuit them;
• Discussing “problem” partner issues with clients; and
• Managing the damage to the firm when and if problems become public.

REGISTER NOW or call 866-872-5840

Who Should Attend

• Law Firm General Counsel or Firm Counsel
• Director of Research
• Risk Management Partner
• Chairs of Ethics and Conflicts Committees
• Directors of Professional Responsibility and Directors of Conflicts
• Managing Partners
• Executive Directors and Chief Operating Officers
• Senior Insurance Industry Executives with Responsibility for Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance