B-LAW B-LAW B-LAW: ETHICS FOR BUSINESS LAWYERS: ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

Written by Neil J Wertlieb^*

This edition of B-Law B-Law B-Law highlights the ethics advisory opinions that were issued during 2024 by the California Lawyers Association’s Ethics Committee ("CLAEC"), the California State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct ("COPRAC"), the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility ("ABA"), and the California Supreme Court’s Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions ("CJEO"), as well as recent changes in the California Rules of Professional Conduct (the "California Rules"), the State Bar Act, and other regulatory law impacting the conduct of attorneys licensed in the State of California.⁰¹

The conduct of attorneys licensed in the State of California is regulated by the California Rules, the State Bar Act,⁰² and opinions of California courts.⁰³ The advisory opinions of ethics committees in California (including those cited herein) are not binding on California-licensed attorneys, but should be consulted for guidance on proper professional conduct.⁰⁴ The advisory opinions of other bar associations (including the ABA) may also be considered, but note that such opinions may be based on rules of professional conduct (such as the ABA’s Model Rule of Professional Conduct) that differ from the California Rules.

RULE AND STATE BAR ACT CHANGES