Ethics

The Florida Bar's Board of Governors has asked its Professional Ethics Committee to issue an opinion on how lawyers should dispose of old hard drives and other devices that might contain confidential client information. 

Hopefully, the opinion will offer helpful guidance in an area that could use more clarity. That said, old computer equipment is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to technology-related ethics issues.  For example, numerous potential problems can arise out of lawyers' use of cloud computing and social networking sites.

Recognizing that lawyers are facing many technology-related ethics concerns, the ABA's Ethics 20/20 Commission is studying the problem in great detail.  I happen to be one of the Commission's reporters and would welcome suggestions about which technology-related ethics issues the Commission should examine.  Leave your suggestions in the comments, or send them to me by email.