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California Lawyers Cannot Churn Files

11/7/19

By: Greg Fayard

Under the Rules of Professional Conduct applicable to California lawyers, attorneys are not supposed to do things where the substantial purpose is to delay, prolong, or cause needless expense. Under Rule 3.2, lawyers can be disciplined for churning a file for the substantial purpose of increasing legal fees. Examples of needless work would be lawyers spending time researching irrelevant issues, working on a case just to increase the legal fees, and seeking to continue a case for no valid reason, such as to extend a billing opportunity or delay a case simply to aggravate the opposing party.
Of course, the California State Bar might have trouble proving a violation of Rule 3.2, as most legal work has a motivation that is not based substantially on delay or increasing expenses.
That said, the best practice for all lawyers is to do what is necessary but which potentially advances the client’s interests.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Greg Fayard at gfayard@fmglaw.com, or any other member of our Lawyers Professional Liability Practice Group, a list of which can be found at www.fmglaw.com.