WebCredenza 2025 Small firm ethics: Tech, paralegals, remote and more

Solo and small firm practitioners wear many hats. They practice law but also run the office and manage all of its information technology – file storage, email, and Websites.  They may supervise paralegals or contract attorneys. They also need to be attentive to developing new clients. Each of these and other roles comes with ethical issues and traps.  Email, file storage, and law firm websites implicate issues of competence, confidentiality, and potentially attorney-client privilege.  Supervising paralegals or junior attorneys implicates supervisory ethics and conflicts of interest.  Client development also implicates a range of ethics issues.  It’s a lot to manage for a firm of any size, but particularly for smaller firms. This program will provide you with a practical guide to major ethics issues for solo and small firm practitioners.

• Ethical issues for small law firms and solo practitioners.
• Technology – storing client files in “the Cloud,” email traps, and remote networks.
• Pooled Resources – shared office/meeting space, shared support staff, shared technology.
• Client Development – websites and lawyer biographies, email/newsletters, social media, advertising and more.
• Paralegals – training and billing, confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.
• Co-Counsel – ethical responsibilities when practicing with other lawyers.

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.