Features

Referral fees: New ethics opinion clarifies the referring and receiving attorneys' obligations

Nov. 17, 2010 — A new ethics opinion clarifies a lawyer's obligations when making referrals for a fee. Wisconsin Formal Ethics Opinion EF-10-02 reaffirms and replaces E-00-01, which has been withdrawn. The following article explains the obligations described in the opinion, which includes a duty to "step in" if the receiving lawyer is ever unable to serve the client's legal needs.

Court decides e-discovery 'mandatory conference' issue, releases final e-discovery order, effective Jan. 1

Nov. 17, 2010 — The Wisconsin Supreme Court settled an open issue regarding the electronic discovery rules issued in July. The final version of the e-discovery rules, issued Nov. 10, requires a pre-discovery conference of the parties. The rules go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

Don't panic: The who, what, when and where of the IRS appeals process (Part 2)

Nov. 17, 2010 — Failing to respond to the IRS's 90-day or 30-day deficiency letters will preclude the client from protesting the deficiency amounts asserted by the IRS. Thus, it is important that lawyers act quickly to preserve these rights on their clients' behalf.

WisBar Media

Alternative fees: An opportunity for client development

Nov. 17, 2010 — Attorney Michael Moore talks about alternative fees, why they are beneficial, and how attorneys can use them to give clients more options.