LMA supports the ABA Commission on ethics 20/20.

• Author: Perret, Kim
• Position: Legal Marketing Association - American Bar Association

LMA is pleased to support the ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 in its efforts to address critical issues impacting the professional values of the American legal profession.

Letter to ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 from LMA President, Nathan Darling and Executive Director, Betsi Roach ~December 30, 2009

What is ethics 20/20?

When ABA President Carolyn Lamm assumed her office last August, she announced the creation of the Commission on ethics 20/20. The Commission is charged with undertaking a comprehensive review and assessment of the ABA Model Rules and other sources of lawyer regulation in the context of trends in the practice of law, including technology and legal practice developments in other countries. The Commission anticipates its work taking three years, with the third year culminating in recommendations to the ABA House of Delegates for changes in the Model Rules.

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Given the scope of the ABA's project, the project's relevance to LMA members, and LMA's existing position statement in support of the ABA Model Rules, LMA's International Board determined that it is appropriate for our association to engage in the process.

In order to facilitate the process, President Nathan Darling appointed a LMA member task force. The task force will monitor the Commission's process, provide input and testimony when appropriate, and submit recommendations to the LMA International Board in response to Commission actions. As part of its charge, the task force will keep the International Board and LMA members apprised of key developments.

Members of the LMA task Force are Kim Perret (Chair), Laura Peters, Lisa Simon, norm Rubenstein, Susan Van Dyke, Amanda Walsh and Michael Webb. Laura Peters and Michael Webb are also members of the LMASE working group monitoring the recent Florida Bar rule changes.

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What is LMA's Role?

During the Commission's process, LMA's interest and input will be focused mainly on the Preliminary Issues outline, Section II - Issues that Arise in Light of Current and Future Advances in technology that enhance Virtual Cross-Border Access; Subsections A & C. this section most likely will encompass Rules 7.1 through 7.5 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct that govern communications concerning lawyer services, advertising and among other provisions, contact with potential clients. LMA also is interested in the Commission's consideration of Rule 8.5: Choice of Law with regard to...