Recent Articles from Nicole Black
NY makes notaries more accessible by passing online notary law | Legal Loop
Over the past few years, there has been a significant transformation in the way that work gets done. Hybrid and remote work has become commonplace, resulting in a growing need for new and innovative approaches to conducting business online. How we work is evolving, and in many cases, the changes will be permanent. One example […]
NY Bar on whether lawyer YouTube videos constitute advertising
Lawyers have been advertising online for more than two decades. As technology evolves, the methods of online advertising also change. New social media platforms are launched, and the features of existing sites are regularly modified. Because the online world is ever-changing, it can sometimes be difficult for lawyers to navigate the ethical issues that arise […]
Pennsylvania on the ethics of using smartphones for client data storage
These days most lawyers use smartphones for work-related reasons. Smartphone use has become so common that according to the ABA’s 2022 Legal Technology Report, 81% of lawyers surveyed reported that they used smartphones in the courtroom. Of course, whenever lawyers use technology, security and ethical risks must be considered, and smartphones are no exception. Fortunately, […]
Top technology gifts for lawyers in 2022
Thanksgiving is behind us, and the days are growing shorter. You know what that means! Time is running out, and if you haven’t already started your holiday shopping, you’d better get started. If you aren’t sure what to get the tech-savvy lawyer in your life, look no further. Below you’ll find my top technology gift […]
Legal Loop: ABA Ethics Committee on Copying Clients on Emails to Opposing Counsel
In a few of my recent columns, I’ve addressed the many issues encountered when lawyers use electronic forms of communication. Among them are the host of security and ethical issues encountered when lawyers use email to communicate with their clients. Notably, there’s a reason I keep writing about this topic: in recent months, ethics committees […]
Pennsylvania provides further guidance on secure client communication
Are you still using email to communicate with your clients about confidential matters? If so, you might want to re-think that approach. Because when it comes to secure communication, the tide is most decidedly turning. For many years there were rumblings of security issues with email in earlier opinions, and in 2017 the American Bar […]
Here’s what the data says about law firm profitability
One of the top business struggles encountered by lawyers from firms large and small is getting paid. Collecting legal fees can sometimes be challenging, especially since clients avoid paying bills for several reasons. Some have cash flow issues, while others require increased payment flexibility. Fortunately, lawyers can take steps to increase collection rates on legal […]
NYC Bar on ethics of copying clients on emails
Lawyers have used email for decades, ever since the mid-1990s when ethics committees determined that it was permissible for lawyers to use email to communicate about case-related matters. Fast forward to 2022, and most lawyers now use email at least occasionally as part of their day-to-day practice. However, some have begun transitioning to more secure […]
Ohio ethics board on holding cryptocurrency in escrow
Take a look around. The world’s a bit different these days, isn’t it? Change is occurring so rapidly that it’s not always easy to keep up. For instance, just when you’ve finally wrapped your head around the concept of cryptocurrency, NFTs (N-F-what?) are suddenly all the rage, and no one’s even talking about bitcoin anymore; […]
Legal Loop: New York courts and bar take tech forward steps
How much did the pandemic change your life? What about your law practice? Were the effects significant or peripheral? Did your law firm change the way it functioned in order to adapt to remote working challenges? Or did your firm take advantage of new technologies in order to maintain operability during the pandemic? Is remote […]
Legal Loop: New York Bar on lawyers’ obligations to protect client data on a hard drive
Technology offers many benefits. If you read my column regularly, you already know that. Technology provides nearly limitless options for lawyers seeking to run their law firms and practice law more effectively. Mobile and cloud computing enable access to your law firm’s data from just about anywhere using an internet-enabled device. Digital evidence makes trial […]
Sign of the times: NY to require cybersecurity CLE credits
When was the last time you attended a CLE course focused on cybersecurity issues? If you’re anything like most lawyers, chances are you’ve never taken one. But if you’re a New York lawyer, that will soon change. For many members of the legal profession, technology adoption tends to be an afterthought, trumped by the noble […]
Case Digests
- Court of Appeals – Speedy trial: People v. Justice A.
- Fourth Department – Traffic stop: People v. McMillon
- Second Circuit – Fair Labor Standards Act: Abbott v. Comme Des Garcons, Ltd.
- Second Circuit – Plea agreements: Cook v. United States
- Fourth Department: Statute of limitations: Marino v. Weiler
- Fourth Department – Nail and mail service: Rebutting presumption of service L&W Supply Corporation v. Built-Rite Drywall Corp, et al
- Fourth Department – Mental Hygiene Law: Charles L. v. State of New York
- Second Circuit – Medicaid and Medicare certification: U.S. ex rel. Quartararo v. Cath. Health Sys. Of Long Island Inc.
- Fourth Department – Waiver of indictment: People v. King
- Fourth Department – Speedy trial: People v. Jordan
- Fourth Department – Rosario material: People v. Dennard
- Second Circuit – Magnuson-Stevens Act: State of New York v. Raimondo
Law News
- Split court affirms gun conviction
- N.Y. Court of Appeals reverses gun conviction
- NY board approves cannabis lawsuit settlements, paves way for retail dispensaries
- NY Court of Appeals reverses murder conviction because of illegal police search
- NY Court of Appeals reverses gun conviction over ineffective counsel
- Split court affirms gun conviction, finding search and arrest were legal
- NY appeals court vacates drug conviction over illegal police search
- Split Court of Appeals strips Police Accountability Board of disciplinary power