Mike, Charles Brown, Dave Nuffer and Toby Brown will be participating. Toby mentioned that he would be participating in an MDP dialogue at the ABA meetings in Dallas in early February on Charles' behalf. Charles will be updating the Bar Commission on the Task Force efforts at the January 28 th Commission meeting. IV Mike picked up the discussion from the last meeting on the ethics of certain current practices. Specifically mentioned was a lawyer who is also licensed to sell insurance.
Problems arise when the lawyer gives legal advice while selling insurance.
Jane Marquardt mentioned that this circumstance is occurring more frequently. In contrast, Mark Lehman pointed out that this situation might be preferable to non-lawyer insurance agents giving legal advice. It was generally decided that clients need to be informed in these situations and that lawyers have some burden to disclose these arrangements, especially when fees and commissions are involved. Charles made the point that the courts will likely define theses issues through liability cases. Mark raised the point of whether ethical rules allow these arrangements now.