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Ethics of Freelance Legal Services: Issues & Best Practices
This 60-minute presentation explains the attributes of the freelance legal service engagement, from the perspective of both the hiring firm or attorney, as well as the freelance lawyer. We cover the duties to reveal conflicts by limited revelation of certain client information, and the duty to shield the freelance lawyer from unnecessary access to other firm files. Also discussed are the various financial relationships, and how freelance service varies from “fee-splitting” with outside lawyers. We discuss the duty to supervise, and the need, in some jurisdictions for special appearance pleadings if the freelance services are obtained for litigation. Finally, the differences between freelance and “unbundled” legal services are covered, and best practices for each party to observe.
Claude Ducloux, Director of Education, Lawpay
Attorney at Law, Board Certified in Civil Trial and Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization; LawPay’s Director of Education, Ethics, and State Compliance.
Claude E. Ducloux is an attorney licensed in Texas, Colorado, and California who speaks nationally on legal ethics, law office management, and trial-related topics. In 2011, he won the highest statewide award from the State Bar of Texas for lifetime contribution to CLE and has been invited to speak in more than 500 programs since January 1, 2016. Claude has served as course director and creator of numerous CLE institutes and advanced courses.
Mr. Ducloux has a long legacy of bar service, including being President of the Austin Bar Association, and serving as Chair of almost every major bar-related entity, as well as the Texas Bar Foundation. He is a board-certified civil trial and appellate attorney in Texas.
