Liza Wolf

🛡️𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞🛡️ Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) programs play a vital role in funding civil legal aid for those who need it most. By directing interest from attorneys' trust accounts to organizations like the Connecticut Bar Foundation, IOLTA programs ensure that critical legal services are accessible to low-income individuals facing life-changing challenges, including eviction matters, restraining orders, and access to health care and benefits. 🏛️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬: Leadership Banks are financial institutions that go above and beyond by offering premium interest rates on IOLTA accounts, which significantly enhances the funds available for civil legal aid. Their commitment directly supports the mission of providing equal access to justice for all, regardless of income. By partnering as Leadership Banks, these institutions demonstrate their dedication to community impact and social responsibility. ⚖️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬: For attorneys, choosing to bank with a Leadership Bank is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference. By selecting a Leadership Bank for their IOLTA accounts, attorneys amplify the funds available for civil legal aid, helping to bridge the justice gap for thousands of Connecticut residents. Your banking decision can help ensure that no one is denied their legal rights simply because they cannot afford representation. Let's work together to ensure that our legal system serves everyone! Attorneys, consider making the switch to a Leadership Bank today: https://lnkd.in/eFJCcnZF Connecticut Bar Association Connecticut Bankers Association (CBA) #AccessToJustice #IOLTA #LeadershipBanks #CivilLegalAid #ConnecticutBarFoundation

3

Plenty in my circle may be interested in the below and I encourage you to share far and wide, participation from a broad set of interested parties makes for better outcomes! And we ALL participate in electric rates (whether we like to or not!)

15

Check out this great 30min webinar we did with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Massachusetts: https://lnkd.in/ez_KFRbM The webinar covers how the IOLTA Program works, where the money goes, and how lawyers in Massachusetts can support access to justice by supporting the Massachusetts IOLTA Committee. It also answers many common client trust account questions, including: 📌Do I need an IOLTA account? 📌What funds go into an IOLTA account? 📌What should I do if there are funds in my IOLTA account that I cannot return to a client? #Massachusetts #IOLTA #Lawyers #AccessToJustice

12

Hey #MassachusettsLawyers, are you keeping up with the technological demands of modern legal practice? In 2024, technology is ubiquitous in our lives and our law practices. We do our work on our laptops, smartphones, and apps using software designed to make our work lives easier. When was the last time you drafted a will from scratch?   The duty of technology competence is more critical than ever for lawyers. The ABA's Model Rule 1.1 mandates that lawyers must understand the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology.  41 states + the District of Columbia has adopted some version of these standards. Massachusetts adopted the ABA's model language in Comment 8 to Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.1 in 2015, emphasizing that technology competence is a crucial aspect of competent lawyering. It's crucial for legal professionals to ensure they are proficient when using all of this technology especially in the areas of law practice technology, electronic filing, e-discovery, and safeguarding client information. Recent disciplinary cases highlight the serious consequences of neglecting this duty. For example, in Matter of Hochman, 31 Mass. Att’y Disc. R. 295 (2015),a Massachusetts lawyer faced a public reprimand for failing to verify the accuracy of bankruptcy documents prepared with commercially available software. This oversight resulted in an unfeasible bankruptcy plan and dismissal of the client’s petition. The lawyer violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.1 (competence), 1.2(a) (pursuit of client’s objectives), 1.3 (diligence), and 1.4 (communication). Another Massachusetts example, Admonition No. 20-24, 36 Mass. Att’y Disc. R. 527 (2020), involved a Massachusetts lawyer who represented a client accused of stealing confidential documents from her employer. The client provided flash drives containing the documents, but the lawyer didn’t know how to review them properly and relied on the client’s inaccurate explanations. This led to negligent misrepresentations to opposing counsel and the court, resulting in an admonition for violations of Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.1 (competence) and 1.3 (diligence)​. While a lawyer never wants to be reprimanded by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, they also don’t want to be sued by their clients for legal malpractice. An attorney’s lack of technology competence as in the above cases could lead to a malpractice claim from the impacted client. Stay ahead of the curve and protect your practice by continually updating your technology skills. How are you ensuring your technology competence in 2024? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below! #LegalTech #Lawyers #TechnologyCompetence #Ethics #LegalPractice #Ediscovery #Cybersecurity #LegalMalpractice #MassachusettsMalpracticeLawyer

2

Learn about the Toxic Packaging Reduction Act and the NJDEP’s ongoing efforts to expand restrictions on #PFAS in packaging and consumer products in this article by me and my colleague, Brian Winfield

2

Parabellum Capital Funding ‘Daniel’s Law’ Cases in New Jersey Reporting by Reuters highlights a recent court filing in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, where the plaintiff, Atlas Data Privacy Corporation, informed the court that it would soon be using funding provided by Parabellum Capital LLC. The litigation funding was secured by Atlas Data Privacy to support over 140 lawsuits that it has been assigned and brought against businesses who have allegedly breached New Jersey’s Daniel’s Law, which allows public officials to protect against the release of their personal information to the public. In its filing to the court, Atlas Data Privacy said that as New Jersey’s rules on funding disclosure “requires that a statement be filed promptly following the use of third-party litigation funds”, and because the firm “anticipates utilizing such funds shortly”, it was filing the letter to comply with Local Civil Rule 7.1.1. https://lnkd.in/ed8S3bB2 #litigationfinance #litigationfunding #litfin #legalfinance #legalfunding #disclosure

3

"Discover the leading energy giants shaping the future of the U.S. energy sector. Check out the Top 10 Energy Companies in the U.S. and their impact on the industry. #EnergySector #TopCompanies #IndustryLeaders" https://lnkd.in/d4AiDYWi

5

I learned a ton talking to Casey Baker and Claire W. about transmission planning and FERC's new rule. We covered power flow models, transmission benefits, stakeholder processes, utility incentives, and more... Harvard Law Environmental & Energy Law Program CleanLaw Episode 94: https://lnkd.in/ewgVqmqY

30

2 Comments

This Thursday, DWT hosts our annual Labor & Employment Law Update for New York-area clients. Attorneys from across DWT’s offices will join our New York-based employment services lawyers to address a wide variety of legal issues and updates relevant to employers in 2024 and beyond, including: what to consider when entering into employment agreements, from hire to termination; how to prepare for the new FTC non-compete rule; how to protect and safeguard company data when employees depart; how DEI is moving forward in a changing legal landscape; and more. Watch our feed for updates.    Laura Sack l Lisa Dayan l Alesia J. Kantor l Jenna Mooney l Michael Goettig l Michael L. Lynch l Roy Salins l Amanda Maria Gomez l Mark Berry l Lyle Zuckerman l Mohamed Barry, Esq. l Jeremy Merkelson l Gaurav Talwar l Victoria (Vicky) Slade  

19

Solar developers in New York have ample reasons to applaud the state’s RAPID Act, considering how the new law provides an expedited approval process for large-scale solar projects. Early returns are encouraging, especially considering the lofty clean energy standard targets the state must meet. Jon Restivo provides some great analysis of the Act and how it addresses appeals in our latest DE Insight. #solar #newyorksolar #solarindustry #cleanenergy #DEinsights #renewableenergy

2

Great articles from Doug Austin from eDiscovery Today and Robert Ambrogi on "Legal Ethics Opinion Cautions Lawyers: You ‘Must Be Proficient’ In the Use of Generative AI,"!! https://lnkd.in/gFuevyXb, https://lnkd.in/g3ePv4FK. The "Joint Formal Opinion 2024-200" by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Association addresses the transformative impact of AI on legal practice. The opinion provides ethical guidelines, emphasizing the need for competence in AI use, verification of AI-generated content, safeguarding client information, and transparent communication with clients. Courts are implementing policies requiring disclosure of AI use, and lawyers are being sanctioned for misuse. Various state bar associations have issued similar guidelines, underscoring the need for careful management of AI's risks and benefits. As the opinion states, "Lawyers must ensure that AI-generated content, such as legal documents or advice, is truthful, accurate, and based on sound legal reasoning." https://lnkd.in/ghawaKbB. (AI)exciting times ahead!

6

Here's one for all my friends in the renewable energy industry! 👇 👇 👇 States looking to increase their production of renewable energy should look at New York’s RAPID Act as a way to get the job done. With an expedited process for both permitting and for appeals, the Act provides greater opportunities for projects to make it through the pipeline quickly without being caught up in red tape. Jon Restivo explains how the RAPID Act works in our latest DE Insight. #solar #newyorksolar #solarindustry #cleanenergy #DEinsights #renewableenergy

2

Vermont passed a first-of-its-kind law requiring energy companies to pay for part of the damages from extreme weather events, and other states are considering similar measures. The Vermont law likely will face many legal challenges. Nevertheless, industry participants should carefully review the law, as well as the laws proposed by other states, to understand their potential liability. Click below to download our Alert on the provisions of, and challenges to, the Vermont law. Howard Sidman David DiMeglio Daniella Einik Jason Varnado Charles Wehland #ESG #climatelaw

8

1 Comment

The New York Public Service Commission is conducting its Biennial Review of the Clean Energy Standard, which drives the state's renewable energy procurements. Reply comments on the Draft Review were posted this morning, and final approval of the Review could come as soon as December 2024. What to watch for: - Changes to Tier 1 bid evaluation, with more focus on project maturity - Increased attention on procuring onshore wind - Aid to legacy small- and mid-size hydro facilities and more: https://lnkd.in/dTid_das

1

A great piece from Lucas Davis and the Energy Institute at Haas on tax credits and consumer behavior. The #IRA U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) #HomeEnergyRebate program has the potential to make subsidies "real" and "actionable" to change consumer behavior at the #pointofsale when it counts most. #InflationReductionAct #heatpumps #heatpumpwaterheaters #taxcredits

4

1 Comment

Vault released it's rankings for best Law Firms in NYC. Below are the Top 10. If you're looking to make a move to or from one of these firms or just explore the lateral market, now is a great time with a ton of need across the board. I've placed 20 Candidates in the last year with plenty more having received offers. DM me and we can set up a time to chat. #legal #recruiter #biglaw #lawjobs #lawfirmjobs #lawfirm #legalrecruiting #lawyers #careeropportunities #amlaw #amlaw100 #amlaw200 #attorney #lawyer #biglawjobs #legaljobs #dclawjobs #dcbiglaw #biglaw #lawjobs #lawfirm #legalrecruiting #lawyers #careeropportunities #salary #interview #vault #rankings https://lnkd.in/dmQajqfx

20

When anyone goes through a divorce or family law dispute, social media can have a huge impact on your case—both positive and negative. 📱💬 The #familylaw team at Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP just published a new blog post that dives into the crucial ways social media can affect your custody, parenting time, and financial issues. Don’t let a social media slip-up jeopardize your case, or hurt a family that matters to you. 📉🔍 Check out our latest blog for essential tips and guidance on how to navigate social media during this challenging time. Help your loved ones stay informed and protect themselves! For personalized advice, reach out to us directly. We’re here to help.  #FamilyLaw #Divorce #Custody #SocialMedia #NewJerseyLaw #LegalAdvice #cohnlifland #AskAmanda Joshua P. Cohn Geri Landau Squire Maria J. La Sala Erika Piccirillo Jeffrey Fiorello Christina Stripp Jacqueline Larsen. Feel free to share this with anyone who might benefit from it! 💼✨

3

1 Comment

SPAC Notebook Editor Yelena Dunaevsky writes in ABA Business Law Section that Delaware courts may see fewer SPAC lawsuits after a pivotal ruling. The Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed a SPAC-related case, criticizing the "perverse incentives" and "strike suits" that have become common. This decision, highlighting the absence of concealed material facts pre-merger, contrasts with the Multiplan case that had previously encouraged similar claims. For a deeper dive, read the full analysis: https://lnkd.in/e9wwuk-u #wsinthenews #SPAClawsuits #Delaware

19