Settlement payments are among the highest-stakes transactions law firms handle. Whether the funds arrive by check, wire, cryptocurrency, foreign currency transfer, or wampum, how a firm processes them can be the difference between a seamless close and a six-figure loss—or worse, an ethics complaint. Fraud, malpractice risk, and ethical pitfalls abound. But with the right systems, you can manage them all.
Plaintiff-side or defense, before any funds are received or disbursed, firms should confirm all settlement terms in writing. That includes the gross amount, any deductions ...
A lawyer’s duty to keep clients informed is a cornerstone of the attorney-client relationship, grounded in the rules of professional conduct and essential to client autonomy.
Duty to Inform: The Baseline Rule
Under ABA Model Rule 1.4, a lawyer must:
Keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter. Promptly comply with reasonable requests for information. Explain matters to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.
This duty reflects the broader ethical principle that the client—not the ...
Insights from our law firm General Counsel and yours, Jeffrey J. Cunningham
