The State Bar of California enforces strict regulations on lawyers practicing within the state. Any perceived act of an attorney failing to uphold the high standard expected of them is grounds for disciplinary action. If you receive a letter of investigation stating...
Be conscious of unconscionable fees
The Model Rules of Professional Conduct, followed by most states, hold that lawyers should refrain from charging their clients “unreasonable” fees. However, as you well know, California goes its own way when it comes to professional conduct rules. Rule 1.5 of the...
What are ethics violations?
This seems like an easy enough question to answer. After all, an ethics violation is failing to follow the rules of professional conduct. However, like all legal matters, things are rarely that simple. Licensed attorneys must adhere to the California Rules of...
When addiction puts your professional license at risk
Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life. However, the stakes can be particularly high for people with professional licenses. Lawyers, doctors, nurses, and other licenses professionals often work in high-stress fields. The desire to...
Will a DUI during law school ruin your chance for bar admission?
Law school is an exciting but stressful time. It can be a steep transition from school at the undergraduate level, both academically and socially. As you work toward your professional career as a lawyer, it is essential to establish your network. In many cases, the...
What you should know about anonymous complaints
As an attorney, you are likely aware that people can file complaints against you with the State Bar of California. These complaints can come from many sources, including clients and their associates, courts, other attorneys, the public, insurance companies or...
Accused of overbilling? More allegations may follow
Naturally, your clients think your fees are high. They may not recognize the amount of work you do behind the scenes or understand the complexities of practicing law. They do not appreciate your overhead, expensive resources and other costs relevant to your clients'...
Are your poor tech skills jeopardizing your law practice?
If your comfort level with technology stops at logging into your email account or checking your social media page, you may want to take steps to remedy that, especially if you practice law. While you certainly have enough to do keeping up with the ever-changing...
Common ways nurses risk losing their licenses
In a typical day for a California nurse, any number of things can go wrong. From simple frustrations, such as a co-worker calling in sick, to a crisis like a recovering patient who suddenly takes a turn for the worse, you must be prepared to deal with matters in a...
Addiction is a familiar burden for many nurses
You probably worked hard to build your career as a nurse. In addition to studying and increasing your knowledge, you established yourself as a skilled professional, someone who coworkers appreciate and patients prefer. You likely spend long hours on your feet and work...