Follow Us

Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Bankruptcy Litigation

Third Circuit Holds Ethical Screen Insulates Side-Switching Lawyer’s New Firm

The Third Circuit recently affirmed a bankruptcy court’s denial of a defendant’s motion to disqualify the plaintiff’s law firm in a large adversary proceeding, holding that it had not abused its discretion because the plaintiff law firm had “complied with” ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.10(a)(2).

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

The Third Circuit recently affirmed a bankruptcy court’s denial of a defendant’s motion to disqualify the plaintiff’s law firm in a large adversary proceeding, holding that it had not abused its discretion because the plaintiff law firm (W) had “complied with” American Bar Association Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.10(a)(2). In re Maxus Energy Corp., 2022 WL 4113656, *4 (3d Cir. Sept. 9, 2022). According to the court, a lawyer (B) who “moved from” the defendant’s law firm “to the [plaintiff’s] firm” was not cause for W (the new firm) to be disqualified. W’s ethical “screen was sufficient to prevent [B’s] conflict from being imputed to the entire firm [W].” Id. at *1. The Model Rules, applicable here, did not impute B’s “conflict to her new firm,” said the court, because “a timely screen, together with certain other requirements,” prevented “conflict imputation.” Id.

This premium content is locked for The Bankruptcy Strategist subscribers only

Continue reading by getting
started with a subscription.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS FOR BANKRUPTCY LAW PRACTITIONERS.
  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • All aspects of bankruptcy law are covered
  • Tap into expert guidance from top bankruptcy lawyers

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe Now For Unlimited Access

Read These Next