Legal ethics items in the news (August 27, 2010)

• In Gere v. Louis, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey affirmed dismissal of legal malpractice claims against a matrimonial lawyer, declaring that the suit was filed too late and that the plaintiff's endorsement of the settlement in the divorce proceeding acted to bar the malpractice suit.  The strong public policy in favor of lasting settlements in divorce matters serves to reduce the parties' ability to subsequently assert malpractice claims.
• From Blog of the Legal Times: a lawyer is seeking insurance coverage in claims against him, but the insurer says that the lawyer failed to disclose the claims when he obtained extended coverage.  (Report those claims and circs!)
• The ABA filed a brief asking the DC Circuit to reject the FTC's position that the so-called "red flag" requirements apply to lawyers.  News article here.
• In matter we discussed previously, a New Jersey judge finalized a sanctions order of $1.96 million against two well known firms for bringing a frivolous claim.  I have no problem with the judge's order, but if the claim was that frivolous, why didn't the judge toss it before the conclusion of the trial?  The order itself is here.
• Edward Poll: succession planning is a must for solo firms.
• In Disciplinary Counsel v. Robinson, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended a lawyer for one year because when he left his firm he took confidential documents with him and then lied about it.