Lawyers can practice law virtually but must ensure that they consider various ethical responsibilities related to the duties of competence, diligence, communication, confidentiality and supervision, according to a new opinion released by the ABA’s Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility.
Formal Opinion 498, released Wednesday, defines virtual practice as “technologically enabled law practice beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar law firm.” Many more lawyers now practice at home or from a location outside of a traditional law office.