The Disbarment of Patent Attorney Dale B. Halling
In the legal profession, a lawyer’s license is not just a qualification; it is a promise of competence and integrity. When that promise is broken, the consequences can be severe. The case of Dale B. Halling, a patent attorney licensed in Colorado and Illinois, serves as a stark reminder of this reality. Halling’s professional misconduct, […]
Judge’s Error, Ethical Breach
A Lawyer’s Paramount Duty: Client Directives and the Limits of Professional Courtesy The scenario of a lawyer failing to respond to a vague communication from an adversary is a fundamental question of legal and ethical obligations. On August 25, 2025, a New York lawyer was faced with an outreach from opposing counsel that merely stated, […]
San Diego Judge Howard H. Shore Disciplined for Unauthorized Absences and Racially Biased Comments
SAN DIEGO, CA – The distinguished career of former San Diego County Superior Court Judge Howard H. Shore, a veteran of the bench for over 35 years, has been shadowed by a series of disciplinary actions from the California Commission on Judicial Performance. While he ultimately retired, the commission’s dual findings for a “dereliction of […]
AI’s Disruption of the Legal Profession: An Ethical Reckoning
The legal profession, long seen as a bastion of tradition, is now facing an existential threat from the rapid advance of artificial intelligence. It’s no longer a question of whether AI will change the job of a lawyer, but how quickly and thoroughly it will do so. For legal ethics reporters, this isn’t just a […]
The Case of Gregory Elvine-Kreis
The legal system relies on the public’s unwavering trust in the integrity and impartiality of its judges. But what happens when a judge’s personal behavior erodes that very trust? The case of former California Superior Court Judge Gregory J. Elvine-Kreis offers a powerful and deeply unsettling answer. His disciplinary proceedings culminated in a public censure […]
Disbarred for Deception: The Fall of Attorney Carlo Palladinetti
The legal profession, built on a foundation of trust and integrity, holds its members to the highest ethical standards. When those standards are breached, the consequences are severe, as demonstrated by the disciplinary case of Carlo P. Palladinetti. A long-time Illinois attorney, Palladinetti’s career came to a dramatic end following his conviction for bank fraud, […]
A Judge’s Fall from Grace: The Disciplinary Case of Debra Burchett
The legal profession holds its members to a high standard, but for judges, this standard is even more stringent. A judge’s role is to be a model of impartiality, integrity, and adherence to the law. So what happens when a judge falls short? The disciplinary case of former Cowlitz County District Court Judge Debra Burchett […]
Why Diligence Matters for Lawyers – A Look at David H. Stoller’s Case
For attorneys, the duty of diligence isn’t just a professional courtesy—it’s a fundamental obligation. When a lawyer’s lack of action harms a client, the consequences can be severe, as shown in the disciplinary case of David H. Stoller, an Orlando immigration attorney. His “pattern of lack of diligence” ultimately led to a public reprimand from […]
Former Judge Tony Mallery Removed from Bench for ‘Troubling’ Misconduct
The career of former Lassen County Superior Court Judge Tony R. Mallery came to a definitive end after the California Supreme Court upheld a decision to remove him from the bench. The ruling concluded a multi-year disciplinary case initiated by the California Commission on Judicial Performance, which found Mallery guilty of a staggering pattern of […]
The End of a Career: Florida Attorney James Lawrence Torres Disbarred Over Trust Account Violations
The legal profession operates on an unwritten contract of trust a promise that attorneys will act with the highest degree of integrity, especially when handling a client’s money. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be swift and career-ending. The disciplinary case of Florida attorney James Lawrence Torres serves as a stark example of […]