Sorted by Commenter - Ethics - State of California

BARRY TARLow.
BLAIR BERK
MARK O. HEANEY
MI KIM
DAVID HARRIS
CBRTIFIED SPBCIALIST - CRDUNAL LAw
STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA
BOARD OF LEOAL
TARLOW &
Rex Heinke
Vice President - State Bar of California
Akiin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP\
2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Dear Rex:
9119 SUNSET BOULEVARD
Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
April 29, 2010
(310) 278-2111
FAX (310) 550-7055
Re: Opposition to Proposed New Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(e) (4-200)
(Fees for Legal Services) Abolishing Nonrefundable Retainers
I am a lawyer who has represented individuals and businesses accused of crimes in
state and federal courts throughout the country for over forty years.
is my biography so that you can consider my background and experience in evaluating my
qualifications to present the analysis set out in this Submission. I am seriously concerned as
are many other California lawyers about the problems raised by the Commission for the
Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct' s ("Commission ) proposed new Rule 1. 5( e)
and conforming amendments to Rule 4200
Bar of California ("Proposal "). Paragraph (e) essentially prohibiting nonrefundable retainers
for legal services will drastically and detrimentally impact the economics of practicing law
in California, as well as the ability of
services. I am requesting a meaningful opportunity to be heard, on behalf of the members
of the bar who overwhelmingly oppose these radical and unnecessary revisions of custom
practice, and the law, (1) if this matter is heard by RAC and (2) at the time it is heard by the
Board of Governors.
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