Mark Dubois

September 13, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

I was in court the other day when I saw a lawyer who had gone to my high school waiting for things to be called into session. At about the same moment, we both said to each other something like, "Are you still doing this?" We laughed, and let on that old habits are hard to break.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

June 07, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

There was a bill introduced at the legislature this session prohibiting lawyers from sending letters offering their services to folks accused of crimes until 30 days after the arrest. It seems to be modeled on the statute which places a 40-day moratorium on contacting victims of accidents. I don't know who sponsored the thing, but it is a good guess that it was a lawyer.

By Mark Dubois

5 minute read

September 17, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

A colleague was telling me about a curious call he had gotten from a client. Seems the client had listed his home for sale, and the real estate broker brought him a contract where the actual price was inflated with a "buyer's credit" in the same amount to cover closing costs and other sundry expenses.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

October 26, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

In case you missed it, two weeks ago there was argument at the Second Circuit on the dismissal in New York of the Jacoby & Meyers suit. Jacoby & Meyers is a New York firm (with offices in Connecticut and New Jersey) that sued a variety of state officials in all three states where they operate over the prohibition in their lawyers' ethics rules on non-lawyer stock ownership. From what I read, its lawsuit may see new life.

By Mark DuBois

4 minute read

February 06, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

I was reading Washington Lawyer the other day. I found it in my gym. Some partner in a big firm left it near the spinning bike. It contained a review of a new book by three eggheads from the Brookings Institute called "First Thing We Do, Let's Deregulate All the Lawyers." These folks, applying obtuse, dense and impenetrable economics formulae to the market of legal services have concluded that law schools cost too much, that some lawyers make too much, and that the public needs more inexpensive sources of legal help.

By MARK DUBOIS

4 minute read

June 11, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

I was recently in Boston at the American Bar Association's Conference on Professional Responsibility, where I wrangled my way into a speaking slot. The keynote speaker at the opening plenary session was John Dean, the White House lawyer who was the focus of a lot of the Watergate investigation and prosecution. It was a fascinating presentation.

By MARK DUBOIS

4 minute read

September 05, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Attorney John McCann's letter in the August 26 edition of the Law Tribune ("Waterbury Law Firm Secretary Accused of Stealing $1 Million") suggests a two-tier (three, really) approach to protecting client trust fund accounts.

By Mark Dubois

5 minute read

February 08, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

I have previously written and spoken about the risks to lawyers of moving some or all of their practice to the cloud. As a result, I have been both invited to speak a lot (including at the National Center for State Courts) and been pilloried by some attorneys who claim that I am Chicken Little, squawking that the sky is falling but offering no solutions.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

August 03, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

One thing that keeps me busy now that I don't have to punch a clock at the Judicial Branch is taking care of my mother. It may be the hardest work I have ever done, but it is also the most rewarding. I was lucky that a good friend gave me some pointers when I began this process a few years ago dealing with my Dad, and in the spirit of "paying it forward," I thought I should share those with any of you who may be facing or approaching the prospect of dealing with an aging parent.

By Mark DuBois

4 minute read

June 04, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Occasionally I have been questioned/challenged/called out as to whether the Rules of Professional Conduct ought to apply to government lawyers. Good question. My best answer is "maybe," but I am not sure.

By Mark DuBois

4 minute read