Legalethics.com

Vermont Lawyers May Use SaaS Solutions to Store and Manage Client Information

Peterk — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 02:41:58 +0000

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 materials. Vermont Advisory Ethics Opinion 2010-6.

Vermont issues opinion on metadata

prfhricik — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:35:26 +0000

Vermont Bar Association Professional Responsibility Section Opinion 2009-1 concluded that a lawyer could “search” for metadata, but may have an obligation to notify the sender of the existence of the metadata pursuant to Rule 4.4(b)

Lawyer websites are “advertising” within the meaning of the Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct

Peterk — Tue, 16 Jan 2001 02:05:59 +0000

Lawyer websites are “advertising” within the meaning of the Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct. Opinion 2000-04. Lawyers must comply with the applicable requirements of Rules 7.1 and 7.2 concerning accuracy and record-keeping. Unless the information on the Web site is directed to persons or groups whom the lawyer knows to be in need of legal services and with whom the lawyer does not have a family or prior professional relationship, the Web pages need not include the words “Advertising Material” otherwise required by Rule 7.3(c). It is advisable for the lawyer to use carefully worded disclosures and disclaimers to clarify the purposes and value of the information on the Web site and in the lawyer’s e-mail responses to questions generated by the Web site. However, the use of disclaimers will not necessarily preclude the formation of a lawyer-client relationship and its attendant ethical responsibilities, “in” particular circumstances.

Vermont Professional Responsibility Board Decisions

Peterk — Mon, 09 Nov 1998 03:03:32 +0000

Vermont Professional Responsibility Board Decisions are available online.

Vermont Advisory Ethics Opinions

Peterk — Mon, 09 Nov 1998 03:02:39 +0000

Vermont Advisory Ethics Opinions are available online.

Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct

Peterk — Mon, 09 Nov 1998 03:00:42 +0000

The Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct are available online. The Legal Information Institute offers another copy.

Vermont Bar Association

Peterk — Mon, 09 Nov 1998 02:59:57 +0000

The Vermont Bar Association website is available online.

Vermont lawyer websites are subject to applicable ethics rules

Peterk — Mon, 09 Nov 1998 01:58:54 +0000

Vermont advertising rules apply to Web sites, but the opinion may change with push technology where lawyers can direct information to subscribers. Opinion 97-05 This could raise solicitation and direct mail issues.Internet “home page” is not “directed to a specific recipient” and is similar to a phone book’s “yellow pages.” Importantly, the Vermont Committee stated specifically that it did NOT address the use of push technology, chat rooms, news groups, discussion groups, or other “potentially interactive means of communicating.”