When Privilege Doesn’t Cover Plus-Ones

Plus One

We’ve all had clients who want their spouses or children involved in discussions about their legal matters. Often, this is because the family member helps manage finances, oversees a business, or simply “knows the details better.” While this impulse is understandable, the well-meaning inclusion of a client’s spouse or child in an attorney-client conversation can…

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Red Flags in Estate Administration: What Lawyers Shouldn’t Overlook

Estate Law talking over details

Estate administration looks simple—until it’s not. If you’re a lawyer who occasionally dips into probate, or if you’ve found yourself involved in a case where a decedent’s estate plays a role (like wrongful death or personal injury), this post is for you. North Carolina’s probate rules aren’t necessarily complicated, but they are nuanced. Here are…

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Practicing Law From 5,000 Miles Away: An Interview with Attorney Jeff Austin

a photo of Jeff Austin on his travels in Patagonia

A recent American Bar Association report noted that nearly two-thirds of private practice lawyers are allowed to work remotely 100% of the time or have the option of choosing their own schedule. It wasn’t always that way. Before the internet and paperless offices, it was generally not realistic for lawyers to represent clients virtually. Today,…

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Local Counsel in NC Federal Court: Additional Obligations

Symbol of Law and Justice - Paragraph / section sign - 3D Rendering

In a recent article, Claire Modlin pointed out the importance of knowing the local rules of any federal court in which you’ve agreed to serve as local counsel, and in a couple of earlier articles, Mark Scruggs also emphasized how important it is to make sure the ultimate client knows and consents to the limited…

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