Colorado Court Clamps Down on Role Conflict: Lawyers Can’t be Witnesses in Their Own Trials, Clarifies Appellate Panel
Denver, Colo. — A recent ruling by Colorado’s second-highest court has clarified an important ethical boundary for attorneys, asserting that a regulation commonly restricting lawyers from serving both as advocates and witnesses applies to all trials, not merely jury trials. This decision underscores the broader applicability of professional standards intended to prevent conflicts of interest in legal proceedings. The debate centered on Patrick Og O’Malley, an attorney and president of Good Life Colorado, LLC, who also held a substantial stake in the company. O’Malley faced disqualification concerns during a legal battle involving a business dispute … Read more