Merri Baldwin Discusses Trial Ethics on Panel at APRL Annual Meeting

Shareholder Merri A. Baldwin, who co-chairs RJO’s Attorney Liability and Conduct practice group, served on a panel at the annual meeting of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL) in Chicago (August 1-3). The session, titled “Calling Perry Mason: Ethical Hurdles During Trial,” provided practical guidance and tips to attendees for representing clients ethically in litigation.

Baldwin joined a distinguished panel of other experienced trial lawyers who addressed common ethics minefields, including ethical witness preparation, false witness testimony, falsified documents, dealing with a difficult judge and disagreements between counsel and the client. The conversation then placed these issues within the context of misconduct proceedings against attorneys, such as disciplinary hearings and civil malpractice trials.

Certified in legal malpractice law by the California Board of Legal Specialization, Baldwin regularly counsels law firms and lawyers on legal ethics and law practice management issues. She handles attorney liability and conduct matters, particularly claims of legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, attorney sanctions and motions to disqualify. Baldwin represents attorneys in disciplinary and admission matters before the State Bar of California disputes and in both jury and bench trials. She frequently testifies as an expert witness on legal ethics and attorney standards of care.