COURSE DESCRIPTION

Part 1: Small Bite Insights for Solo & Small Law Firm Attorneys --

Responding to Cocktail Hour Questions

In this 90-minute course, attorneys Raina Bayas, Sara Bastani, Justie Nicol, Jennifer Schaffner, and Sarah Wolter will provide an overview of everyday topics non-attorneys often bring up at gatherings when they realize they’re talking with an attorney. This presentation will explore subjects such as lemon law; considerations when selecting a divorce or personal injury attorney; best next steps after an auto accident; first responses to adult and juvenile arrests, DUI stops and charges; and addressing worries voiced about (or faced by) taking care of loved ones through powers of attorney.

Part 2: How to Avoid the Unintentional Attorney-Client Relationship

Part 2 will focus on how Colorado’s Rules of Professional Responsibility apply to these casual conversations and address issues related to attorney competency, creation of attorney/client relationship (and the avoiding thereof), confidentiality, referrals, and future conflicts of interest. Our presenters will discuss key steps for ensuring attorney compliance when responding to these informal inquiries: 

1.    Clarify Your Role Early

2.    Limit the Scope of Your Response

3.    Use Disclaimers

4.    Do Not Seek / Accept Confidential Information

5.    Be Careful about Written Communication

6.    Offer a Referral to a Qualified Attorney

7.    Explain the Limits of Your Involvement

8.    Redirect Requests for Specific Advice to Seek Representation

By the end of this presentation, attendees will have the tools to respond confidently to client questions while ensuring their conduct remains aligned with the ethical standards required of attorneys. This presentation is designed to enhance practical knowledge, encourage proactive decision-making, and reduce the risk of ethical violations in everyday legal practice.

The live Zoom session will remain open for attendee questions and be recorded for later reference or home study. 

OUR SPEAKERS: 

Raina Bayas is a seasoned litigator and since 2021, the CEO of The Bayas Firm, PLLC, a consumer protection firm focused on Lemon Law, Auto Fraud, and Diminished Value Claims. Raina is active the consumer protection community as the Colorado Chair for National Association of Consumer Advocates, a former member of the Consumer Law Committee of the Colorado Bar Association, and a member of the Colorado Consumer Protection Coalition.

Sara Bastani is the owner of Bastani Law Firm, where she specializes in estate planning law. Known for her dedication to education, she empowers clients with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of estate planning. Her expertise ensures that each client’s legacy is safeguarded through thoughtful and comprehensive strategies. Sara will discuss why both financial and medical powers of attorney are essential and how they function. She will address common misconceptions about decision-making for incapacitated individuals and emphasize the importance of communicating preferences with appointed agents. Additionally, she will provide statutory references to forms that attorneys may point to when answering questions.

Justie Nicol of Colorado Lawyer Team is a feisty, red-headed, nerdy, dog & toddler mom, with a variety of legal experience who’s actually a PERSON (human first, then attorney) and who wants to GENUINELY HELP her clients. Justie practices primarily criminal defense work but is also well-known for innovation, systems-design, and using legal tech to achieve great results for the firm and her clients. Justie is often teaching other lawyers about tech stacks, guest-lecturing at local universities about animal law, teaching animal control officers how to testify and investigate, or giving webinars on law firm automation. Justie has formed several law firms over the past six years, including starting solo, gaining (and losing) partners, and now runs a small firm of nearly 15 people.

Jennifer Schaffner formed Schaffner Law in 2024 to provide exceptional, personalized representation to clients going through divorce. She believes attorneys practicing family law should be part of the solution, not contribute to a family’s problems. Clients and peers recognize Jennifer for her professionalism and ability to resolve cases efficiently. She has been recognized as a Colorado Super Lawyer since 2023 and by Best Lawyers since 2022. Jennifer will discuss distinguishing casual, social conversations from conversations that create an attorney-client relationship and how to respond when people informally ask questions about divorce. Topics covered will include providing general advice, versus specific information and C.R.P.C. 1.18. Jennifer will also address C.R.P.C. 1.6 regarding keeping client confidences when people want to hear war stories or have you entertain them with “the craziest case you have ever seen.” 

Sarah Wolter is the founding attorney of Avandra Law, a leading personal injury law and consumer protection law firm dedicated to advocating for those who have been injured due to negligence or damaged through a dealerships deceptive practices. With over 10 years of experience in personal injury law, Sarah is very involved in the legal community, serving on the Colorado W.O.L.F. Council as CLE chair and is an active member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. Sarah has built a reputation for passionately representing clients and securing favorable outcomes in complex cases involving car accidents, workplace injuries, wrongful death, and consumer protection more. She has been nominated as a rising star by Super Lawyers for the last 5 years.

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This program is part of The Practical Lawyer Practice Management CLE series for Solo & Small Law Firm Owners & Attorneys specially developed by Colorado W.O.L.F. (Women Owned Law Firms), a Recognized Provider of accredited continuing legal education in Colorado.