ALA Urges Reconsideration of Texas Ethics Rule Prohibiting Titles for Non-Lawyer Management Positions
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The Association of Legal Administrators
The Ethics Committee’s decision states a Texas firm may not use “officer” or “principal” in job titles for non-lawyer employees of the firm, arguing that doing so gives the impression of non-lawyers exerting control or influence over the work of lawyers, a violation of the rules of professional conduct .
ALA, along with is co-signatories, argued that the Committee’s interpretation does not help to advance the intent of the rules of professional conduct, as roles such as “Chief Technology Officer, or “Chief Executive Officer” do not exercise any control or influence over the manner in which lawyers conduct work on behalf of clients. These roles are designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of law firm operations and have little or no interaction with client matters.
The associations argue that the Opinion fails to account for the functional roles assumed by these positions and instead focuses exclusively on the title itself. Firms of all sizes employ Chief Administrative Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Technology Officers, and similar positions. These roles provide vital services to law firms, but do not control or influence the way lawyers conduct their professional activities or convey equity interest in the firm.
The groups also noted that the Opinion is contrary to current trends in law firm management and argued its enforcement will impede law firms from from recruiting and retaining professionals with the skills and experience necessary in today’s legal environment, creating greater risk for both the firms and their clients.
“The decade ahead will be shaped by powerful economic, political, technological, environmental and socio-demographic global forces, which underscores the necessity for new thinking and large-scale change to serve a rapidly changing world,” the letter stated.
The associations signing on to the letter were: Association of Legal Administrators, American Association of Law Libraries, International Legal Technology Association, International Practice Management Association and the Legal Marketing Association.
For full text of the letter, please contact Gwen Biasi at the Association of Legal Administrators at gbiasi@alanet.org or 847-267-1252.
About the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
ALA is is focused on the delivery of cutting-edge management and leadership products and services to the global legal community. It identifies and provides solutions to the most critical strategic and operational challenges its members and customers face today, and prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. For more information on ALA, visit http://alanet.org.
Read the letter from the ALA to Mark N. Osborn, Esq., Chair of the Texas Supreme
Court Ethics Committee. Download Now – (PDF 803KB)