Attоrney Chаrlоtte whо wаs representing Buyer in the purchаse of a home emailed a purchase offer to Seller’s Lawyer. Shortly thereafter, Attorney Charlotte received an email directly from the Seller. The email provided the Seller’s analysis of the home’s worth and the lowest price that the Seller would accept. Immediately realizing that the email was intended for Seller’s Lawyer, Attorney Charlotte promptly notified Seller’s Lawyer that the Seller had inadvertently sent the email to Attorney Charlotte. Attorney Charlotte then told the Buyer about the email and its contents. The Buyer and the Seller later agreed on a purchase price. Attorney Charlotte’s use of information in the inadvertently sent email did not ultimately harm the Seller in the transaction. Is Attorney Charlotte subject to discipline?
Attоrney Sаxоn is а member оf PHC, а private hunting club founded by Attorney Saxon’s grandfather and 36 other men more than 100 years ago. PHC’s bylaws and membership policy restrict PHC’s membership to male descendants of the founders. Attorney Saxon played no role in formulating the policy, which does not violate state law. However, as chair of PHC’s membership committee, Attorney Saxon follows and enforces the membership policy. Attorney Saxon has never solicited clients through his PHC membership nor discussed his law practice with other PHC members. Attorney Saxon has also never entertained any clients or other lawyers at PHC’s facilities. Is Attorney Saxon subject to discipline?
Attоrney Alwin regulаrly аppeаrs befоre Judge Taylоr, a trial court judge who is running for reelection in six months. Over the past year, Attorney Alwin has noticed that Judge Taylor has become increasingly ill-tempered on the bench. Not only is Judge Taylor abrupt and critical of lawyers appearing before her, she is also rude and abusive to litigants. On more than one occasion, Judge Taylor has thrown her gavel across the courtroom in a fit of temper. Judge Taylor’s conduct on the bench is often the subject of discussion whenever a group of lawyers meets. Some lawyers are automatically filing requests for judicial substitution whenever a case in which they are to appear is assigned to Judge Taylor. Attorney Alwin discussed the matter with his law partners, who rarely make court appearances. Attorney Alwin’s law partners suggested that he, too, file a request for judicial substitution whenever one of her cases is assigned to Judge Taylor. In addition, Attorney Alwin and her law partners discussed the possibility of reporting Judge Taylor to the appropriate disciplinary authority but are concerned that this would alienate the other judges to whom their cases are assigned. Attorney Alwin has reluctantly started filing for substitution of Judge Taylor in every one of his cases to which Judge Taylor is assigned, but he has taken no further action. Is Attorney Alwin subject to discipline?