Ethics and Professionalism, In Person CLE Oct. 18th

Ethical Issues for the Modern Day Attorney

1 Credit: Ethics and Professionalism

Date: Sunday, October 18th, 2026
Time: 1:45 pm
Location: The Long Island Marriott
Address: 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale, NY 11553  

*All course applications for this program are currently pending approval in compliance with NYS CLE Board regulations. 
 
During this program, we will review the fundamental principles of the Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant case law that every attorney should keep in mind when practicing in today's legal environment. Topics will include an overview of the Attorney Grievance Committee and the most common allegations of professional misconduct, including failures in communication, lack of diligence, and misappropriation of client funds.

Unforgettable learning experiences!

Program Summary
Speakers
Testimonials

Program Summary

During this program, we will review the fundamental principles of the Rules of

Professional Conduct and relevant case law that every attorney should keep in

mind when practicing in today's legal environment. Topics will include an

overview of the Attorney Grievance Committee and the most common allegations

of professional misconduct, including failures in communication, lack of diligence,

and misappropriation of client funds.

We will also examine the ethical implications of social media and emerging

technologies, discussing how the Rules of Professional Conduct govern attorneys'

online presence and digital communications while providing guidance for

navigating modern ethical challenges.

Key topics to be discussed: 

  • How complaints are filed
  • The process for investigation
  • Outcomes from an investigation
  • Just Don’t: Common Missteps That Could Affect Your License (Feraru and Galarza)
  • Get Serious – Why You Need To Be Proactive About Your Escrow Account
  • If You Post, You May Be Toast – Legal Ethics and Social Media

Talented, Professional Team

Rachel S Merker, Esq.

OF COUNSEL | WILSON ELSER

Rachel S Merker is Of Counsel at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, where she supervises associates defending personal injury actions caused by, during or as result of, construction. She previously served as Principal Attorney for the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District in Hauppauge, New York for 6 years. Prior to joining the Committee in...

Alissa L. Van Horn, Esq.

PRESIDENT | VHF LEGAL SEMINARS

Alissa L. Van Horn, Esq. is a Founding Member and Co-President of VHF Legal Seminars, Inc.: the Interactive CLE company. Alissa is also Founding Member and Managing Partner of Van Horn & Friedman, P.C., a boutique family law firm, exclusively dedicated to handling family and matrimonial matters in the New York Metropolitan Area.

Testimonials

I simply want to applaud you both for such stellar and entertaining performances in the mock ethics scenarios. The diversity of situations presented was truly eyebrow-raising and memorable. The discussion format was also quite entertaining and digestible. Overall, a great CLE.
Very good course, instructor and materials. I took another course with this instructor and she comes across as very knowledgeable and experienced. She enlivens the course with numerous anecdotes and examples from cases she has handled.
I found the way the material was presented made it interesting but also was effective in modeling how to analyze and discuss these issues with a colleague. This was the most interesting CLE that I’ve ever taken. Kudos to the presenters!

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