Mark Dubois

Mark Dubois is counsel with the New London firm of Geraghty & Bonnano. He was Connecticut’s first Chief Disciplinary Counsel from 2003 until 2001. In that position he established an office that investigated and prosecuted attorney misconduct and the unauthorized practice of law. He is co-author of Connecticut Legal Ethics and Malpractice, the first book devoted to the topic of attorney ethics in Connecticut. He is a weekly contributor to the Connecticut Law Tribune where he writes the Ethics Matters column. Attorney Dubois represents individuals accused of ethical misconduct and malpractice. He also serves as an expert witness on matters of ethics and malpractice. He teaches ethics at UConn Law School and has taught ethics as Quinnipiac University School of Law where he was Distinguished Practitioner in Residence in 2011. He has lectured in Connecticut and nationally on attorney ethics and has given or participated in over 75 presentations and symposia on attorney ethics and malpractice. He has also taught trial advocacy and legal research and writing. Attorney Dubois has been board certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification for over 20 years. He is presently president-elect of the Connecticut Bar Association and will be president in 2014. In addition to being an officer of the Bar Association, he is a member of the Professional Discipline, Unauthorized Practice, Pro Bono and Mentoring committees. He is a member of the New Britain, New London, and American Bar Associations as well as the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers. He is the recipient of the Quintin Johnstone Service to the Profession Award in 2012 and the American Board of Trial Advocacy, Connecticut Chapter, Annual Award in 2007.

December 21, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Natural Born Killers?

I venture into this topic gingerly, readily admitting that folks like defense lawyer and Law Tribune columnist Norm Pattis have a much deeper understanding of the workings of criminal law and the criminal mind, but I can't help being intrigued by some recent news concerning the idea that some people's brains are different than "normal," and, as a result, they commit unspeakable crimes.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

June 20, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Opinion: PRISM Schism

The kerfuffle over the U.S. government's alleged spying on its own citizens by accessing their computers, e-mails and other electronic media use has caused no small amount of talk among legal ethics folks. I am not sure what the end of it all will be, but there will be some fallout.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

May 24, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Opinion: Redefining The Office

I was in our nation's capital the other day on some business and had a chance to glimpse what I am told is the office of the future.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

April 02, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

UConn Law Should Find New Measures Of Success

Well, the U.S. News ratings are out and UConn Law has dropped into a solid Tier II slot at No. 62. This has led to the predictable round of anger, recriminations and general angst in many quarters. Present students feel betrayed, as they watch the ranking sink at a time when the market for recent law grads is extremely bad. Recent grads are angry, feeling that the value of their degrees has continued to slide with the rest of the economy.

By MARK DUBOIS

5 minute read

August 09, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Opinion: Hello, Mr. Chips

A friend of mine has what I think has to be the best job in the world, teaching Latin at a boy's high school in Boston. I keep saying that I want to be him when I grow up.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

April 09, 2012 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Boot Camp Is Better Than Ignorance Of Rules

Many folks do not know that our rules of professional conduct do not mirror the American Bar Association model rules in some important respects. For instance, model Rule 1.15 is four paragraphs long. Our rule is over 25 pages long. Model Rule 1.6 permits disclosure of client confidences to prevent serious physical harm to another. Our rule mandates it. Our Rule 3.7 contains a prohibition on threatening criminal action to gain an advantage in civil litigation. The model rule has no such provision.

By MARK DUBOIS

4 minute read

September 03, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

A Lawyer Can Do It Better

I read somewhere that some lawyers are suggesting that the courts or the legislature develop standard guidelines for alimony. We had better be careful with this; we might put ourselves out of business.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

July 02, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Opinion: Beware Of Black Swans Bearing Gifts

I usually don't dare to venture outside of my limited area of expertise, but a recent article about the Black Swan case reminded me that I had been meaning to talk about student interns for some time.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

June 28, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Opinion: The Handbook

I was at a tag sale the other day and while rummaging through a box of books came across a small blue book that shaped a large part of my early resolve to become a lawyer. It is the Handbook for Conscientious Objectors.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

July 17, 2013 | Connecticut Law Tribune

Opinion: Loosely Textured Lawyer Trap

The saga of Zenas Zelotes, the lawyer who championed his right to have an "intimate" relationship with his clients, reached another milestone the other day when Judge Frank D'Andrea ordered him suspended for five months.

By Mark Dubois

4 minute read

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