Samuel C Stretton

April 22, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am an assistant public defender and I am concerned that both the court and Public Defender's Office are not properly reviewing the financial status of potential clients. They do not require clients to sign an affidavit that they do not have sufficient funds or assets to retain legal counsel. As a result, many of the defender clients in my office do not really qualify for defender representation. Is my ethical obligation to reveal the fact that they do not qualify or continue to represent these clients?

By Samuel C. Stretton

10 minute read

April 15, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I asked another lawyer to assist me on a class action suit. He and I now have a dispute as to the fee he should be paid for his services. Do I have to maintain the monies in my escrow account?

By Samuel C. Stretton

9 minute read

April 08, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I have been appointed by the court to represent a client in a homicide trial. The client has become very dissatisfied with me and also very difficult to deal with. I feel I can win the case for the client despite that. The client has asked me to withdraw. What are my obligations?

By Samuel C. Stretton

8 minute read

April 01, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

My law firm is changing from a paper-based firm to one using modern technology and scanning all files on the computer. The files will be stored in the Cloud. Is that ethical?

By Samuel C. Stretton

7 minute read

March 25, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

There is a certain judge who seems to dislike me and shows it in his courtroom. The judge belittles me, at times, tries to trip me up, embarrasses me, and interrupts me, among other things. Can I stand up to a judge and say something?

By Samuel C. Stretton

7 minute read

March 18, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

What clothing should a judicial officer wear under their black robe when they are in court?

By Samuel C. Stretton

9 minute read

March 11, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I was approached by a candidate for election to challenge an opponent's nominating petition. A political supporter will be the actual challenger since one needs someone registered in that political party in that election district to file a challenge. I am really representing the candidate and their party who is backing him. What are my obligations to the challenger who, I guess, is the actual client?

By Samuel C. Stretton

8 minute read

March 04, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I have been doing Zoom depositions and hearings. For some of them, my client is at another location. How can I interact with the client ethically?

By Samuel C. Stretton

10 minute read

February 25, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a lawyer who is a district judge. What can I do in my law practice while I am a sitting Pennsylvania district judge?

By Samuel C. Stretton

8 minute read

February 18, 2021 | The Legal Intelligencer

I was sanctioned in federal court and the judge sent the matter over to the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board. I thought the federal courts had their own disciplinary committee. Do they?

By Samuel C. Stretton

12 minute read