Ralph A Catalano

September 27, 2018 | New York Law Journal

No matter the reasons driving the decision to retain one lawyer for many defendants, the possibility that conflicts of interest may emerge among the clients lurks ominously over the entire arrangement, potentially threatening any prospect of a harmonious defense, and perhaps resulting in an ethical calamity for the attorney.

By Ralph A. Catalano

16 minute read

April 19, 2018 | New York Law Journal

'Matter of Reno' is a rare exception that gives us some insight into how the Appellate Division, Second Department views professional fitness in the context of an attorney's handling of a transaction with an unrepresented and vulnerable party.

By Ralph A. Catalano

11 minute read

February 02, 2015 | New York Law Journal

Ralph A. Catalano of Catalano Gallardo & Petropoulos writes: The steps for safely using an attorney escrow account and holding property for others are clearly laid out in Rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and its commentary. No lawyer should assume these responsibilities without a thorough understanding of the rule.

By Ralph A. Catalano

13 minute read

January 30, 2015 | New York Law Journal

Ralph A. Catalano of Catalano Gallardo & Petropoulos writes: The steps for safely using an attorney escrow account and holding property for others are clearly laid out in Rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and its commentary. No lawyer should assume these responsibilities without a thorough understanding of the rule.

By Ralph A. Catalano

13 minute read

June 03, 2013 | New York Law Journal

Ralph A. Catalano, a partner at Catalano Gallardo & Petropoulos, writes that there are few topics that will infuriate a plaintiff's medical malpractice lawyer more than Judiciary Law Section 474-a, the statute that restricts the legal fee to a sliding scale.

By Ralph A. Catalano

12 minute read