10 Ethical Tips from Hollywood Movies

From My Cousin Vinny to Lincoln Lawyer, from Atticus Finch to Lt. Kaffee, Hollywood lawyers have a lot to teach us about the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Using the Hollywood storylines as a starting point, we dissect the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and then apply them to real-life cases. As they would never disclaim in the movies, “all characters appearing in this class are NOT fictional! Any resemblance to real lawyers, living or dead, is purely intended!”
Rules discussed, include:
• Rule 1.1 – Competence
• Rule 1.2 – Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority between Client and Lawyer
• Rule 1.3 – Diligence
• Rule 1.4 – Communications
• Rule 1.5 – Fees
• Rule 1.6 – Confidentiality of Information
• Rule 1.7 – Conflict of interest: Current Clients
• Rule 1.8 – Conflicts of Interest
• Rule 1.15 – Safekeeping Property
• Rule 3.3 – Candor toward the Tribunal
• Rule 3.4 – Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel
• Rule 3.5 – Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal
• Rule 3.6 – Trial Publicity
• Rule 4.1 – Lying to Third Parties
• Rule 4.2 – Communications with person Represented by Counsel 
• Rule 7.1 – Communications Concerning a Lawyer’s Services
• Rule 7.3 – Solicitation of Clients
• Rule 8.3 – Reporting Professional Misconduct