ISBA President Paula H. Holderman speaks with ABA Past President Laurel Bellows on the importance of court funding.

Suppose opposing counsel inadvertently reveals your client's social security number in a pending lawsuit despite your request under applicable rules that he not do so. Can you sue for, say, invasion of privacy and negligent infliction of emotional distress?You can't, George Bellas reports in the latest issue of Trial Briefs, newsletter of the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure section. "The recent case of Johnson v. Johnson and Bell, Ltd., 2014 IL App (1st) 122677 (February 24, 2014), considered this issue and ruled that the litigation privilege precluded any liability," Bellas wrote. The court reasoned that "attorneys enjoy immunity from defamation actions arising out of a judicial proceeding," relying on Restatement (Second) of Torts § 586. Find out more.

Q. I want to share office expenses and space with two other lawyers, but we won’t be partners. Can we call ourselves the “X, Y, and Z” law firm? A. Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 7.5(d) provides that lawyers may only state or imply they practice in a partnership or other organization when that is the fact. Comment [2] to that Rule goes to say that “lawyers sharing office facilities, but who are not in fact associated with each other in a law firm, may not denominate themselves as, for example, “Smith and Jones,” for that title suggests that they are practicing law together in a firm. See also, ISBA Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion 03-02.ISBA members can browse past ISBA Ethics Opinions, access our Ethics Hotline, and other resources on the ISBA Ethics Page.Disclaimer.  These questions are representative of calls received on the ISBA’s ethics hotline.  The information provided below is meant as an educational tool to highlight potentially applicable Illinois RPC or other ethics resources that might help the lawyer answer the question posed.  The information provided isn’t legal advice.  Because every situation is different, often complex, and the law is constantly evolving, you shouldn’t rely upon this general information without conducting your own research.

Enhance your understanding of the issues surrounding corporate ethics! Understanding the issues surrounding corporate ethics is vital in today’s climate. This half-day seminar in Normal, Illinois on April 25th offers you the updates you need regarding recent developments in corporate law ethics. The program is designed for a diverse audience with intermediate levels of practice experience, including in-house lawyers, corporate attorneys, and private practitioners. Attorneys attending this seminar will better understand: the ethical considerations for practitioners representing corporate clients; understanding the scope of permissible advice and licensure/practice restrictions in a multijurisdictional practice; the recent developments and future trends in professional responsibility; incorporating the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct into the in-house counsel’s practice; and the ethical considerations for employers regarding the Affordable Care Act requirements and penalties.The program is presented by the ISBA Corporate Law Departments Section and qualifies for 4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 4.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.