Webinar Sponsored by: 

Free for ADLA Members

11:30 am – 12:30 pm Central Time

Presenter: Sharon D. Stuart, President & Claims Counsel of AIM

Sharon D. Stuart from Attorneys Insurance Mutual of the South, Inc. will discuss the Murdaugh dynasty, the issues leading to Alex Murdaugh’s downfall, how he committed his crimes, his victims, lawsuits, receivership, and the SC Supreme Court disciplinary orders. There will be a discussion of some of the ethical violations and how to avoid those violations in your practice, against the backdrop of the Murdaugh case.

• Rule 1.16(a)(2) – Drug addiction (lawyer shall not represent a client if lawyer’s physical or mental condition materially impairs the lawyer’s ability to represent client)
• Rule 8.4(f), Rule 8.3(b) – Judge involved in settlements (Lawyer shall not knowingly assist judge in misconduct; lawyer failure to inform appropriate authority when he knows judge has violated rules of judicial conduct).
• Rule 8.4(a) – Conspiracy with Cory Fleming to defraud clients (when lawyer violates RPC or knowingly assists another in doing so)
• Rule 1.5(e) – Cases tried/fees divided with Chris Wilson (division of fees)
• Rule 8.4(c) – use of fake account to steal millions (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation)
• Rule 1.15 – Satterfield settlement diverted (Trust Account Violations – lawyer shall hold client property separate; promptly notify client and deliver to client funds or other property that they are entitled to receive). Who in firm is responsible for trust account violations? Default: All partners
• Rule 5.1 – How didMurdaugh’s firm miss millions? (Partner shall make reasonable efforts to ensure firm has measures to ensure lawyers conform to the Rules of Professional Conduct)
• Rule 8.4(b) – guilty pleas to state financial charges, federal fraud and money laundering charges (lawyer shall not commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer)
• Rule 3.6; 8.2(a) – ethical pitfalls of public commentary about cases (3.6 – lawyer shall not make an extrajudicial statement he knows has substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding; 8.2(a) – false statements as to qualifications or integrity of a judge)8.3(a) – post trial publicity (lawyer’s duty to report another lawyer that violated rules of professional conduct)

This course or a portion thereof has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission of Alabama for a maximum of 1 hour credit, including 1 hour of ethics.