Bell & Brookman: 3 things to know about responding to online reviews
Whatever you do, be sure to protect client confidentiality.
James J. Bell
Articles
James J. Bell: Things to know about time machines, avoiding unworthy clients
There are times in the practice of law when a lawyer wishes he or she had a time machine. Those times can occur when the lawyer realizes that he or she should have never taken the case he or she is working on.
Bell & Thompson: 3 things to know about judges and the use of social media
Some judges choose to be on social media, but in doing so, they likely take on more risk than lawyers do.
Bell: 3 things to know about ethics and office space
Remember when we used to make fun of “The Lincoln Lawyer” because he worked out of his car? Maybe we should not cast too many stones.
Bell: 3 things to know about ethics and ‘getting paid’
The Disciplinary Commission must think about money (at least every now and then) or they would not have drafted their latest advisory opinion entitled, “Ethical Considerations about Getting Paid.”
Bell: 3 things to know about AI and ethics
AI is a growing facet of the legal profession, and lawyers need to be guided on what it is, what it can do and where the limitations are on its use. Here are three things to know about AI and ethics.
IndyBar: Guest column: Pixel, Sonny and Tucked-in Shirts
IndyBar’s James Bell shares a story about teaching his soon responsibility.
Bell and Grass: 3 things to know: Commenting on pending legal matters
Have you recently been hired on a case and know the media want to talk to you? Before you post a comment on social media or conduct an interview, you should stop and think of the potential ethical implications. Those implications are outlined in the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission’s recently issued Advisory Opinion 1-22, “Lawyers’ Public Comments on Pending Matters.”
3 things about responding to online criticism as a lawyer
We’ve all scoped a Yelp review, been turned off by a customer’s dismal review and chosen a new restaurant. While restaurant management has the ability to respond to unfavorable online reviews, for a lawyer, it’s not that simple. Here are three things to know about responding to online criticism as a lawyer.
Bell & Grass: 3 things to know about attorneys’ social media
Because our parents (who have trouble with remote controls) are now officially on Facebook, we can safely assume that close to all attorneys are using social media. Using social media is simply an inexpensive and convenient way to get the word out about your law firm. However, there is an element of risk that comes along with an attorney’s use of social media. These risks were highlighted in July, when the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission listed social media’s many “minefields.”
Bell and Grass: 3 things: The ethics of working from home
Moving your office into your home can pose unique ethical concerns you may not have considered. James Bell and Stephanie Grass discuss three things you need to know about the ethics of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bell: Guantanamo, Rick Kammen, a job hunt and judicial ethics
Forgive me, but I have grown a little obsessed with what is going on in Guantanamo. Specifically, I have been following the Abd al-Rahim Hussein Muhammed al-Nashiri case from afar. I’m interested in the al-Nashiri case mainly because Hoosier attorney Rick Kammen represented al-Nashiri.
Bell: 3 things to know about making ‘bad mistakes’
I have known some lawyers who have never made a mistake before, and if you give them a chance, they’ll tell you how infallible they are. But what about the rest of us who sometimes don’t live up to our own expectations?
IndyBar: President’s Column — ‘Porchunate,’ ‘Hoss-bubble,’ and Other ‘Words’ that Describe 2018
I have often heard it said that having children keeps you young, keeps you in touch with your own childhood and it helps keep your imagination alive. Whoever said that has never met Charlie Bell. Charlie Bell is my 4-year old, and if feeling 136 years old is feeling young, then yes, he makes me feel very, very, young every single day.
IndyBar: Real Friends, Ellen DeGeneres and Those Who Tell You Like It Really Is
As I sat in the Supreme Court of Indiana two weeks ago at the IndyBar’s third-annual Memorial Service, I got to thinking about one of my real friends who we had recently lost. He was my “little brother” James and he had always given it to me straight.
IndyBar: Accompanists, Tiny Dancers and the IndyBar Recognition Breakfast
At the IndyBar, we have hundreds of volunteers who serve our members, promote justice and enhance the legal profession on a daily basis and rarely get a thank you worthy of their efforts. IndyBar will seek to honor at least some of them on Nov. 13.
Accompanists, Tiny Dancers and the IndyBar Recognition Breakfast
True or false: I’m an expert pianist. Of course, the answer is false. If the answer had been “true,” here is how you would’ve known I played the piano: I would’ve told you. And after I told you, I would’ve shown you by playing the piano for you over, over and over again. My piano […]
IndyBar: 4-Year-Old Soccer, Being Undefeated and Attorney Wellness
I don’t like to brag, but I’m going to go ahead and say it: I’m undefeated. As head coach of a 4-year-old soccer team, I’ve never lost a single game. Of course, it helps that I’m in a recreational league where keeping track of wins and losses is forbidden.
IndyBar: Johnnie Cochran-ing, Larry Landis and “Some Skills”
Larry Landis gave me “some skills” and those skills were just enough to help my client in my first criminal trial. Larry has trained thousands of law students and lawyers, and as he goes into retirement, we should remember that when someone like Larry takes the time to teach another attorney, the true recipient of that training is a client and a member of our community.
IndyBar: “We Should Do Lunch!” — Take Opposing (or Any) Counsel to Lunch August 9
I would like to challenge you to make good on your “let’s do lunch” rhetoric and actually do lunch with someone. Fortunately, the IndyBar has the perfect opportunity for you to pull this off.