October 17, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
The Latest Incarnation of the Nigerian PrinceLawyers have indeed been warned about the scam and many other variations. But, yet, somehow, they still fall prey.
By Daniel J. Siegel
6 minute read
August 29, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
The Saga of Pennsylvania's Impairment Rating Evaluation: The Litigation That Keeps on GoingThe 50% impairment rating was the highest rating required in the country. That meant that most workers in Pennsylvania would find that, after receiving 104 weeks of wage loss benefits, most IREs would determine they were less than 50% impaired. Therefore, they could only receive a total of 500 more weeks (about 9.5 years). That was it. They would still receive medical benefits but no more wages.
By Daniel J. Siegel
11 minute read
June 24, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
New Pennsylvania Ethics Opinion Offers Practical Guidance on the Use of AIFor legal ethicists, this new territory presents familiar ethical quandaries. They unanimously agree that competence mandates a thorough understanding and education in any new technology prior to its use.
By Daniel J. Siegel
8 minute read
April 19, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
New Proposed Succession Planning Rule Hits Target but Misses the BullseyePennsylvania's newly proposed Rule of Professional Conduct 1.20 makes succession planning mandatory. It is a very good start, but hopefully, after public comment, the Disciplinary Board will revise and improve it.
By Daniel J. Siegel
8 minute read
February 19, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer
Cyberattacks Can Happen Anytime, Anywhere—How You React Is the KeyThe headline was clear and scary. "Cyberattack Hits Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts." Yes, another attack on the courts. The attack disabled online docket sheets and the electronic case document filing portal. Court officials claimed that there was no evidence that the hackers had stolen data.
By Daniel J. Siegel
8 minute read
October 19, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Keep the Big Bad Wolf Away: Review and Revise Your Flat Fee AgreementsPennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 governs the types of fees attorneys can charge and outlines the way fee agreements must be tailored. The Pennsylvania Rule is modeled after ABA Model Rule 1.5.
By Daniel J. Siegel
9 minute read
August 24, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
The Ten Commandments for Every Newly Solo and Small Firm LawyerWithout question, opening a solo practice can be both rewarding and demanding. It is also a challenge for those attorneys who have always been supported by a large staff and by others, who do the bookkeeping and who handle other "chores" that are now part of "your job." As I have said many times, a solo is a managing partner but also a janitor.
By Daniel J. Siegel
13 minute read
June 29, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Will Attorneys Ever Be Required to Be Technologically Competent?Although many attorneys have yet to acknowledge the importance and benefits of technology, they cannot ignore the role of technology any more than they can return to the days before computers and smartphones.
By Daniel J. Siegel
13 minute read
April 27, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
The More Things Change, Two Old Problems Rear Their Heads … AgainThis column will address two recent situations, one relating to multijurisdictional practice in New Jersey and the other to bank defaults and IOLTA, both of which raise questions we have heard before.
By Daniel J. Siegel
12 minute read
February 24, 2023 | The Legal Intelligencer
Letter to the Editor: Pa. Rule 1.8 Amendment Still Solidly Backed"Yet again, as he did in 2021, attorney Samuel Stretton has criticized the proposal to amend Rule of Professional Conduct 1.8 based on feelings rather than the proposal's content," writes Daniel J. Siegel.
By Daniel J. Siegel
2 minute read