Legal Ethics and Telecommuting Webinar for NJIPLA

Phillips Lytle LLP Partners Lead Webinar on Legal Ethics and Telecommuting for New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association

Buffalo, N.Y. – Phillips Lytle LLP Partners John G. Schmidt Jr. and Anna Mercado Clark recently led a webinar hosted by the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA). The virtual event – which was titled “Legal Ethics and Telecommuting” – was held as part of the association’s 35th Annual Pharmaceutical/Chemical Patent Practice Update Webinar Series.

Ms. Clark and Mr. Schmidt provided an ethics-focused CLE presentation that explored the ethical considerations for telecommuting attorneys. This included a discussion on the different Rules of Professional Responsibility and how to adhere to those rules while working remotely, particularly when it comes to IT, privilege, confidentiality and security. Their presentation also offered an in-depth overview of the latest rules on the unauthorized practice of law – rules that can come into play when an attorney is working from an out-of-state home office or while on vacation in a jurisdiction where they are not licensed.

As leader of Phillips Lytle’s Data Security & Privacy and E-Discovery & Digital Forensics Practice Teams, Ms. Clark focuses on complex e-discovery and digital forensics, cybersecurity and data privacy, and complex commercial litigation. She has earned ANSI-accredited credentials from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), including Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E); Certified Information Privacy Professional for the U.S. Private Sector (CIPP/US); and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). She has also been designated as a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) by the IAPP. Additionally, Ms. Clark handles white collar criminal matters and investigations.

As co-leader of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Team, Mr. Schmidt practices in the areas of business disputes and commercial litigation, with a particular focus on employee disloyalty, workplace fraud, business torts and similar corporate disputes. He also practices in technology litigation, computer forensics, white collar/government investigations defense, and class action defense. Mr. Schmidt has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts, and has been appointed by several courts in complex corporate and personal disputes requiring receiverships, or to investigate and remediate fraud.

Phillips Lytle LLP is a preeminent law firm that is recognized nationally for its legal excellence. With offices across New York State and in Chicago, IL; Washington, D.C.; and Canada, our attorneys serve a multinational client base, including Fortune 1000 companies, global and regional financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, middle-market companies, startups, entrepreneurs and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth. For more information, visit phillipslytle.com.

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