“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom” – Albert Einstein As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our country’s independence, I am reminded that we, as lawyers, owe a significant ethical duty to exercise independence in the representation of our clients. As an attorney, […]
The Ethics of Independence Read More »
I still remember vividly today the very first time I signed a paper, as an attorney at law, for filing in court. It was 22 years ago. I remember being nervous. I practiced my signature on a scratch pad, wanting to get it just right, before finally putting ball point to paper. The paper was of heavy bond,
Allowing Someone Else To Type In Your S-Signature On USPTO Documents Is Unethical Read More »
On Friday, May 15, I was honored to be a presenter at the Annual Meeting of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the Arizona Bar, held in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona. Roberta Tepper of the State Bar of Arizona and I went a full two hours, providing the section members with treasured ethics CLE credits. The IP Bar in
Arizona Bar IP Section Hot for Ethics Read More »
Intellectual Property law firms often receive substantive documents, including original applications and amendments, with “instructions” from their client to file the paper in the USPTO, essentially as is. And just as often, IP counsel dutifully follow their clients’ orders and simply have a non-lawyer “clean up” the document so it “looks” right and, without any substantive
IP Counsel Who Blindly Follow Client “Instructions” Risk Loss Of Law License Read More »
On December 31, 2014, the USPTO Director issued an Order of Reciprocal Discipline excluding a Bellevue, Washington patent attorney from practicing before the Office. Former patent attorney Jeffrey T. Haley’s exclusion followed his voluntary resignation from the State Bar of Washington, where he had been charged with attempted extortion from his former law firm. The Compensation
Patent Attorney Disbarred For Attempting To Extort Fees From Former Law Firm Read More »
“I made a wrong mistake” – Yogi Berra Before his sentencing for orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history, Bernie Madoff explained to the court he had “made a terrible mistake.” To borrow a line from my 11-year old daughter: “No duh.” Madoff’s “mistake” led to a 150-year prison sentence. In bar disciplinary
To Err Is Human – But Is It Unethical? Read More »
Last week, the United States Supreme Court turned more than a few heads when it issued an attorney discipline order against Howard Shipley – a partner at Foley & Lardner, LLC – for his conduct relating to a (denied) petition for writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court is demanding that, within 40 days, Shipley show cause “why
SCOTUS Threatens Sanctions Against Patent Attorney: Is USPTO Ethical Discipline Next? Read More »
Never lie, never cheat, never steal. – John Wooden Patent attorney Rodney K. Worrel should have listened to the sage advice of UCLA’s legendary basketball coach. The California-based attorney has been excluded from practice before the USPTO for engaging in a pattern of misconduct that involved multiple acts of neglect, deceit, and conversion of client
