CLEarly Legal w/ Brian Faughnan - Thoughts on legal ethics, professional responsibility, and other aspects of the law of lawyering
Fri Jan 30 2026
In this episode of the Clearly Legal podcast, hosts Sean Martin, Joel Surber, and guest Julie Peek engage with ethics expert Brian Faughnan. They discuss the evolution of legal practice, particularly in the context of remote work and the ethical implications of home offices. Brian shares insights from his journey in law, including the challenges of managing remote staff and the importance of confidentiality. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on legal research and practice, highlighting both its potential benefits and pitfalls. The episode concludes with a discussion on the changing landscape of law firm transitions and the ethical considerations that arise from them.
Takeaways
Brian Faughnan has been practicing law since 1998, focusing on ethics and representing lawyers.Home offices present unique ethical challenges, particularly regarding confidentiality.Lawyers must be cautious about discussing client matters with non-lawyers, even family members.The pandemic has changed how lawyers view productivity and office environments.Managing remote staff requires clear communication and compliance with ethical standards.Transitioning between law firms can be amicable but requires careful handling of client matters.AI tools can assist in legal research but come with risks of misinformation.The bar exam may not effectively measure a lawyer's competency or potential success.Ethics rules are evolving to address the challenges posed by technology in legal practice.Continuous learning is essential for lawyers to adapt to changes in the legal landscape.If you're listening here for CLE credit, be sure to head over to CLEarly.Legal.
That’s the only place where your time gets tracked and your hours are reported automatically.
Be sure to subscribe so you know when new episodes drop.
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In this episode of the Clearly Legal podcast, hosts Sean Martin, Joel Surber, and guest Julie Peek engage with ethics expert Brian Faughnan. They discuss the evolution of legal practice, particularly in the context of remote work and the ethical implications of home offices. Brian shares insights from his journey in law, including the challenges of managing remote staff and the importance of confidentiality. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on legal research and practice, highlighting both its potential benefits and pitfalls. The episode concludes with a discussion on the changing landscape of law firm transitions and the ethical considerations that arise from them. Takeaways Brian Faughnan has been practicing law since 1998, focusing on ethics and representing lawyers.Home offices present unique ethical challenges, particularly regarding confidentiality.Lawyers must be cautious about discussing client matters with non-lawyers, even family members.The pandemic has changed how lawyers view productivity and office environments.Managing remote staff requires clear communication and compliance with ethical standards.Transitioning between law firms can be amicable but requires careful handling of client matters.AI tools can assist in legal research but come with risks of misinformation.The bar exam may not effectively measure a lawyer's competency or potential success.Ethics rules are evolving to address the challenges posed by technology in legal practice.Continuous learning is essential for lawyers to adapt to changes in the legal landscape.If you're listening here for CLE credit, be sure to head over to CLEarly.Legal. That’s the only place where your time gets tracked and your hours are reported automatically. Be sure to subscribe so you know when new episodes drop.