When an attorney pivots from the role of advocate to expert witness, the rules of engagement shift—often dangerously. While expert witness work may not be “legal representation” in the traditional sense, the risks of disqualification, discipline, and malpractice exposure remain high.
On Wednesday, January 28, Parker Shaffie LLP’s own Joel A. Osman (Partner & General Counsel) and Adam J. Telanoff (Senior Counsel) will lead an essential online session for the BHBA Ethics and Malpractice Law Section (chaired by Partner Michael Douglass).
Expanding on their recent Daily Journal analysis(article here (link to hyperlink), Joel and Adam will provide a roadmap for navigating the “fuzzy” lines where ethical crises begin.
A sample of some topics to be explored are:
- Advocate vs. Witness: Maintaining impartial analysis without crossing into advocacy.
- Conflict Scenarios: Navigating testimony adverse to former or current firm clients.
- The “Safe Harbor”: Drafting engagement letters that prevent inadvertent attorney-client relationships.
- Risk Management: Identifying conduct that triggers malpractice claims and disqualification.
As our presenters will note, the only true safety lies in absolute clarity regarding your function and the precise boundaries of the relationship. Don’t leave your professional reputation to chance.
Event Details: Info & Registration
Date: Wednesday, January 28
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
Format: Live Webinar via Zoom
MCLE Credit: 1.00 CA CLE hour (Legal Ethics or Legal Malpractice Law LSCLE)
About Joel A. Osman
Joel A. Osman is a Partner and General Counsel at Parker Shaffie LLP. He is a recognized authority in legal ethics, focusing his practice on litigation, trials, and ethics consultation. Mr. Osman frequently serves as an expert witness on legal standard of care issues and provides guidance to other lawyers and law firms. He is a former chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee and a former member of the State Bar’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.
About Adam Telanoff
Adam J. Telanoff is Senior Counsel at Parker Shaffie LLP. His career combines extensive experience in commercial litigation with a deep business perspective gained from serving as General Counsel for companies in private equity, entertainment, and for a venture-backed tech startup. He has successfully litigated cases in state and federal courts and before administrative tribunals. Adam is also an experienced educator, having taught law classes at UCLA Extension and Los Angeles Mission College.
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