Samuel C Stretton

June 18, 2013 | The Legal Intelligencer

I practice in a county where there are part-time masters and conciliators in family court. Sometimes, while having cases before the master or conciliator, I am also litigating against that person in unrelated family court cases. Is that permissible?

By Samuel C. Stretton

8 minute read

October 23, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am handling a court-appointed case on appeal for a client. The client also hired me on a personal injury case. I have just gotten a nice settlement for the client. Do I have to tell the court-appointed system that the client no longer qualifies for indigent representation?

By Samuel C. Stretton

7 minute read

September 04, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a corporate counsel. Most of my communication, particularly in-house, is through email. As the in-house counsel, I give both legal advice and business advice, when asked. Are my emails covered by attorney-client privilege?

By Samuel C. Stretton

7 minute read

October 09, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am an inmate in a state correctional institution. I hired a lawyer and he wanted a $50,000 retainer. I paid him half the retainer. I had two preliminary hearings and he did not show up. Because he didn't show up, I then fired him. I requested a refund of the fee. He refused, saying he had a nonrefundable fee clause. Does that protect him from keeping the funds?

By Samuel C. Stretton

8 minute read

February 19, 2013 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a lawyer in the latter part of my 60s and I intend to keep practicing, hopefully for a number of years. What are the ethical considerations an older lawyer or senior member of the bar must think about?

By Samuel C. Stretton

12 minute read

July 31, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am in a small county where oftentimes the bench and the bar socialize at various functions or see each other at restaurants, etc. What do I do if the judge, in casual conversation, raises a case where I am representing a party?

By Samuel C. Stretton

7 minute read

June 12, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

Lawyers must learn to balance their duty of zealous advocacy with their duty of candor to the court.

By Samuel C. Stretton

6 minute read

July 20, 2010 | The Legal Intelligencer

I have been corresponding with a law firm that emphasizes collection work. The person I am corresponding with has the same last name as the lawyer in the letterhead. The person signs the letterhead and responds and sends me letters. I just discovered the person is not a lawyer. Is there anything illegal about what is going

By Samuel C. Stretton

6 minute read

June 28, 2011 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am involved in litigation and I discovered the attorney for the other side has a blatant conflict of interest. The conflict goes against his own client. Is it my obligation to reveal this?

By Samuel C. Stretton

8 minute read

January 22, 2013 | The Legal Intelligencer

I represent Client A against Business B. Business B now wishes to hire me on a matter totally unrelated to my representation of Client A. Can I do so?

By Samuel C. Stretton

11 minute read