http://www.legalethics.com Focusing on the ethical issues associated with the use of technology by legal professionals Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:07:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en An interesting article describing the use of DropSmack to target networks via DropBox. In addition to broader considerations lawyers should consider before using cloud services, developments like this highlight the need for education regarding technology and security. http://www.legalethics.com/?p=521 For-profit Arizona law firms may use the .org domain name suffix as long as the website is otherwise not false or misleading. See Arizona Ethics Op. 11-04 (December 2011). http://www.legalethics.com/?p=520 California lawyers may maintain a virtual law office in the cloud where communications with the client, and storage of and access to all information about the client’s matter, are conducted solely via the internet using a third-party’s secure servers. The lawyer may be required to take additional steps to confirm ... http://www.legalethics.com/?p=519 Oregon lawyers may access publicly available information on social networking sites, can request access to non-public information if the person is not represented by counsel in the matter, and may in limited circumstances advise or supervise an agent to access non-public information under Oregon's Covert Activity Exception (Oregon Rules of ... http://www.legalethics.com/?p=518 A California lawyer's lawsuit against on online legal service provider alleging unauthorized practice of law withstood a demurrer. See Law Offices of Mathew Higbee v. Expungement Assistance Services, Cal. Ct. App. 4th Dist. No. G046778 (Mar 14, 2013). http://www.legalethics.com/?p=517 Iowa Lawyers May Use SaaS [Cloud] Services provided that they consider the access to the data, conduct appropriate due diligence regarding the SaaS provider, the cost of the service, and the degree of protection afforded the data. Iowa Ethics Opinion 11-01 (September 9, 2011). http://www.legalethics.com/?p=516 Main lawyers may store and synchronize electronic work files containing confidential client information. Maine Ethics Opinion #194 (June 30, 2008).  Processing of firm data may include transcription of voice recordings and transfer of firm computer files to an off-site "back-up" of the firm's electronically held data. At a minimum, ... http://www.legalethics.com/?p=515 A lawyer generally may store and synchronize electronic work files containing confidential client information across different platforms and devices using an Internet based storage solution, such as "Google docs," so long as the lawyer undertakes reasonable efforts to ensure that the provider's terms of use and data privacy policies, practices ... http://www.legalethics.com/?p=514 Pennsylvania lawyers may ethically allow client confidential material to be stored in “the cloud” provided the attorney takes reasonable care to assure that (1) all such materials remain confidential, and (2) reasonable safeguards are employed to ensure that the data is protected from breaches, data loss and other risks. Pennsylvania ... http://www.legalethics.com/?p=513 Vermont lawyers can utilize Software as a Service ("SaaS") in connection with confidential client information, property, and communications, including for storage, processing, transmission, and calendaring of such materials, as long as they take reasonable precautions to protect the confidentiality of and to ensure access to these ... http://www.legalethics.com/?p=512