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Disasters, Fiascos, and Flameouts: Best Practices for Lawyers and Law Firms When Things Go South 2026

  • City:
  • Start Date:2026-09-25 09:00:00
  • End Date:2026-09-25 10:30:00
  • Length:
  • Level:Intermediate
  • Topics:Ethics

$139.00 ProPass

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This program is eligible for 1.5 hour of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 1.8 hours of CLE credit. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.

Overview

Every Law Firm Will Face a Crisis. Will You Be Ready?

From trust account mistakes and employee misconduct to negative online reviews and unexpected departures, every law firm faces challenges that can quickly become ethical, professional, and reputational risks. The difference isn't whether a crisis happens—it's how you respond.

The Best Crisis Plan Starts Before the Crisis.

This practical one-hour program explores the ethical obligations that arise when the unexpected occurs, drawing on the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, the Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, ethics opinions, and disciplinary case law. You'll gain practical strategies to help identify risks early, respond appropriately, and protect your clients, your firm, and your license.

Build Your Crisis Response Playbook.This program will teach you how to:

  • Avoid common IOLTA and trust account mistakes before they become disciplinary problems.
  • Recognize the warning signs of a "rogue associate" and understand your supervisory responsibilities.
  • Navigate negative online reviews and public criticism while complying with your ethical duties.
  • Respond to partner and staff departures, client file transfers, and other firm transitions without creating additional risk.

Every Firm. Every Lawyer. Every Day.

Whether you're a solo practitioner, managing partner, in-house counsel, or part of a large firm, this program offers practical guidance that every lawyer can put to use immediately. Because protecting your practice isn't just about avoiding problems—it's about being prepared when they arise.

Learn from Two of Pennsylvania's Leading Legal Ethics Authorities.

Amy Coco and Ellen Brotman understand what happens when law firms face difficult situations. Drawing on decades of experience in professional responsibility, discipline, and risk management, they will provide practical strategies to help lawyers identify problems early and respond effectively.

Faculty

Ellen C. Brotman, Esq.

Ellen Brotman is the founder of BrotmanLaw in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., focusing her practice on legal ethics and professional responsibility. Ellen defends lawyers in licensure issues and provides ethics opinions to attorneys in public and private practice on a wide range of ethics issues. From 1995 to 1998, Ellen served as an assistant federal defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia and is currently a member of the board of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Ellen serves on the ABA’s Standing Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility and the PBA’s Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers since 2008; in 2025 and 2026 she was named one of the top 50 Women Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania.

Amy J. Coco, Esq.

Amy Coco is a shareholder at the Pittsburgh law firm of DiBella Weinheimer, where she has focused her practice on Professional Responsibility for more than 30 years. She represents lawyers, judges, and law students in matters involving ethics, licensure, professional responsibility, risk management, and law practice management counseling. Amy is the current President of the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) and previously served six years on its Board of Governors. Within the ACBA, she has chaired the Nominating Committee and By-Laws Committee, the Professional Ethics Committee (where she continues to serve as a Duty Officer), and the Lawyers Insurance Committee. She has also served on the Council of the Solo and Small Firm Section and chaired subcommittees within the Women in the Law Division. At the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), Amy is Co-Chair of the Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee. She served as the PBA’s Woman At Large Governor (2021–2024) and chaired its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team from 2022 to 2024. She is also the Director of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law’s Incubator Program, mentoring lawyers as they establish solo practices. In addition, she is a member of the Washington County, Philadelphia County Bar Associations, as well as the American Bar Association and its Center for Professional Responsibility and the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL). A frequent lecturer and writer on professional liability, diversity and inclusion, and ethics issues, Amy has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law since 2024 and has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer annually since 2018. In 2022, she was recognized as one of Pittsburgh’s Top 50 Lawyers. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1994, and her B.A. in Journalism from Indiana University Bloomington in 1989.

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