The Friday Whine is a casual blog and contains three things: An ethics update, a legal profession update, and wine recommendation. If you see text in blue, it is a link to an article or information.
Ethics
Florida Bar Softens The Scarlett Letter. Anyone Notice?
Public discipline means something more now that we have this internet thing. Get a case, see who the opposing counsel is, and check the profile on the Florida Bar website. Go right to 10-Year Discipline History and see if it says “Yes.” That “Yes” is a live link to the pleadings in the disciplinary case.
It’s the Scarlett Letter. Lawyers with Bar Complaints now say “I don’t care what happens, I just don’t want to be “on the website.”
That, to my surprise, has changed with the latest redesign of the website.
If you have no discipline in the last 10 years, it looks like this:
10-Year Discipline History: None
If you do, it looks like this:
10-Year Discipline History:
There’s no more “Yes.”
I can’t believe the Bar wanted to go in this direction. I would think their goal would be to have the “Yes” flash red and play music.
Legal Profession
Beyond Civility…
I’m working on something and I’d like your feedback.
We all know that civility is now a focus of the legal profession. We now require lawyers in their Oath of Attorney to swear to be civil. You know, to be nice to each other.
I want to know how you would define or specifically describe the following concept, as it pertains to the legal profession:
Humanity.
If a lawyer were to exhibit humanity, or a lack of humanity, in the practice of law, what would be an example?
Wine
The Bachelorette
Yes, I’m watching it.
No, I’m not embarrassed. (I think Peter needs to go, by the way).
On the last episode they were in Rioja, drinking Tempranillo. Here’s some more details on that scene from Wine Spectator.
Whether you’re in the middle of trying to decide which of 3 guys to marry, Tempranillo from Rioja is great wine.
This one is on many wine lists, and can be found for around $20 in stores. I’m a big fan.