Samuel C Stretton
June 04, 2013 | The Legal Intelligencer
Questions & Answers on Professional ResponsibilityWhat are a lawyer's ethical obligations, if any, concerning sealing court records or appellate court decisions?
By Samuel C. Stretton
11 minute read
November 08, 2011 | The Legal Intelligencer
The legal profession calls for a different standard when handling non-refundable feesI represented a client in a preliminary hearing and I have in my escrow account my fee for such representation. My fee agreement states the fee is non-refundable. The client said he did not like my performance at the preliminary hearing and is demanding the fee back. Can I take the fee?
By Samuel C. Stretton
7 minute read
December 14, 2009 | The Legal Intelligencer
Ethics forumWhen plaintiffs turn on one another, a lawyer must consider whether shared information is confidential
By Samuel C. Stretton
7 minute read
November 29, 2011 | Legaltech News
Do Judicial Officers Belong on Facebook?"As a judicial officer, should I be on Facebook and Twitter and these other social media forums?" is the question posed to Chester County, Pa., attorney Samuel C. Stretton, writing for The Legal Intelligencer. Stretton answers, "Whether a judge should be utilizing Facebook or other social media forums of communication has recently been the subject of debate. As noted in earlier articles, judicial officers don't lose their right, under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. ... [MORE]
By Samuel C. Stretton
6 minute read
May 22, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer
Lawyers should keep copies of clients' wills and give clients the originalsI am a lawyer who has written a number of wills over the last several years. Should I hold onto the original will and keep it in a safe place in a file cabinet, or should I give the original will and other original documents pertaining to estate planning back to the client to hold and just keep copies?
By Samuel C. Stretton
8 minute read
October 18, 2011 | The Legal Intelligencer
A bit of exaggeration as to the extent of injuries and value of the case is acceptableI am engaged in settlement negotiations on a personal injury case. During the negotiations, I want to that say this case has a great value. How far can I go in puffing the extent of injuries and value of the case without violating the Rules of Professional Conduct?
By Samuel C. Stretton
6 minute read
July 24, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer
Proposed ethics rule changes may render lawyers who don't embrace technology datedWhen will the ethics rules catch up to modern technology, particularly in the area of competence?
By Samuel C. Stretton
9 minute read
May 01, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer
Pennsylvania is experiencing an indigent defense crisisYou have written in the past about the lack of ethical systems for court-appointed counsel in Pennsylvania and the failure of the Gideon legacy. What is the current status, particularly in Philadelphia?
By Samuel C. Stretton
12 minute read
October 18, 2011 | Texas Lawyer
Maintaining Files Not as Simple as It SeemsMaintaining files and giving clients copies are not quite as simple as they might seem.
By Samuel C. Stretton
7 minute read
November 06, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer
A lawyer may not take a contingency fee for a case before the Client Security FundI have been approached by a client to sue a lawyer who misused funds of the client. I have also filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security. Can I have a contingent fee to do this?
By Samuel C. Stretton
6 minute read
