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CAUTION! Disciplinary Action Ahead

2/27/20

By: Anastasia Osbrink

It has now been over a year since California Evidence Code, section 1129 went into effect, and as such, it is a good time to be reminded that compliance is mandatory and attorneys who fail to comply face possible disciplinary action. Evidence Code, section 1129 requires attorneys to provide the client with a written explanation of mediation confidentiality and obtain a signed acknowledgment from the client on the disclosure document prior to the client agreeing to participate in mediation. (Evid. Code, § 1129.) Mediation confidentiality is codified in Evidence Code, section 1119. If an attorney fails to obtain this signed disclosure, which the attorney must also sign, he or she could face disciplinary action. Moreover, Evidence Code section 1122 was amended as part of this requirement. That Evidence Code section now provides for the admission of evidence of a signed disclosure form, or lack thereof, as part of a disciplinary action against an attorney for failure to obtain it. (Evid. Code, § 1122.)
This change, of which many California attorneys are still unaware, occurred as a result of the holding in Cassel v. Superior Court, where the California Supreme Court ruled that mediation confidentiality prohibited plaintiffs from introducing communications that took place during mediation as evidence of malpractice against their former attorneys. (Cassel v. Superior Court (2011) 51 Cal.4th 113.) After that ruling, the California Law Revision Committee wanted to ensure that clients understood the extent of mediation confidentiality and how it could impact the current or future litigation.
Providing a written explanation of mediation confidentiality that is signed by the client is not only good practice, it is the law. Moreover, compliance with Evidence Code, section 1129 is especially simple because there is form language within this code section that an attorney can use to ensure compliance. There are a few additional points to remember. First, the document must be a separate, stand-alone document that is not attached to any other document. Also, it must be obtained prior to the client agreeing to mediation. That often means before the Case Management Conference, California lawyers. The simplest means of compliance is to provide this document to the client at the same time as an engagement agreement and any conflict waivers, but separately from those documents. Additionally, the document must be provided in the client’s preferred language, so make sure to find this out from the client ahead of time. Finally, attorneys must make sure that they sign the document as well and provide a fully executed copy to the client. These are steps an attorney must take to make sure they do not face later disciplinary action.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Anastasia Osbrink at aosbrink@fmglaw.com.