Ethics

As discussed earlier here, a California Court of Appeal ruled in Pursley v. Philippe that when a person learns a party's confidences while acting not as a lawyer and then moves laterally to a law firm adverse to the party, a screen can prevent imputation of the person's conflict to others at the firm.  

This is important law, because the legal profession sees so many laterals moving from non-lawyer jobs (e.g., former engineers who enter the legal field, paralegals, admins, secretaries, summer associates, clerks, externs, etc.) For many years we've assumed that screens probably work in those situations, but we really need clarity.  This opinion helps.

If you wish to join a letter urging publication of the opinion, please contact Diane Karpman at karpethics - at - aol - dot - com.