The May Issue of the OC Lawyer featured an article by Isabelle Smith of Montage Legal and Todd Smith of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, titled “Friends With Benefits: When Does Socializing Between the Bench and Bar Warrant Judicial Disqualification?”
The article discusses Orange County’s collegial and close relationship between the Bench and Bar, which is both encouraged and cause for disclosure or possible judicial disqualification. The article discusses both online and live interaction, and simply cautions attorneys and judges in contact beyond Bench and Bar events to avoid casting doubt on a judge’s ability to act impartially.
Read the full article by clicking here (OCBA Membership required).
Isabelle Smith, formerly a partner with Howrey, LLP, joined Montage Legal Group as a freelance attorney in 2011. Isabelle obtained her law degree from University of California, Hastings in 1998 and served as the Executive Editor of the Hastings Law Journal. She was a partner in the Global Litigation Group of Howrey, specializing in complex business litigation, with a particular focus on professional liability disputes and securities matters. Isabelle has represented and counseled law firms in legal malpractice disputes, and Fortune 500 companies and start-ups in securities class actions, derivative suits, corporate governance, antitrust, merger and acquisition disputes, unfair business practices, and trade secrets. In 2006 and 2007, Isabelle was named a Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star by Law & Politics Magazine. She was also named Pro Bono Partner of the Year by Howrey, LLP’s Irvine office.