If you’ve recently been arrested for assault, it’s probably best not to mention that fact on the campaign trail. And that was Carlos Cortez‘s move on Jan. 12, as he addressed a polite audience of North Dallas Democrats at an afternoon candidate forum. His opponent Bonnie Lee Goldstein also didn’t raise the issue. “It’s so gratifying to see that you actually want to know who the candidates are before you vote,” said Cortez, who mentioned awards won by his staff and himself. “This is a very important bench. It’s the highest civil trial bench in all of Texas, and we need people there who are experienced in complex cases, who know the type of law that comes before us; and I’m the only person in this race who does that. Thank you for your attention. I appreciate your support, and I’m asking you for your vote. Thank you,” Cortez said before leaving the podium. Dallas police arrested Cortez on Dec. 28, 2013, after his girlfriend alleged that he choked her, leaned her over the balcony of his residence and threatened to kill her. In a court pleading, Cortez has alleged that she was intoxicated due to mixing alcohol and prescription drugs, and he was trying to save her life, by removing her from a balcony from which she was trying to jump. Senior Judge Richard Mays has issued a gag order in Cortez’s assault case. While the gag order does not apply to Goldstein, she also stayed away from the subject at the candidate forum. “I bring experience, qualifications and temperament to be a judge 24/7. I have been a lawyer for over 23 years, I have been a judge for 10,” said Goldstein, a Dallas solo who also works as a municipal court judge. “I would love your support and your endorsement on March 4,” Goldstein said.
Social Media Smarts
Is it cool for counsel to “friend” judges? Which tweets could a lawyer post without bar approval? What disciplinary rules apply to status updates? The Texas Young Lawyers Association has published the TYLA Pocket Guide: Social Media 101. TYLA President Kristy Blanchard explained, “With so many advancements in technology and the way we advertise ourselves as lawyers and get business, I wanted a guide that was kind of a quick reference on the do’s and don’ts on advertising and social media—to make sure I wasn’t getting myself in trouble.” According to the guide, lawyers should “tread lightly” on social media when it comes to promoting themselves and their services. But in general, it’s OK for counsel to publish educational or informational content on social media. The guide details how the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct would apply to websites, blogs, sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, and more. “In any medium, attorneys must maintain the confidentiality of his or her client, be truthful in statements to others, and avoid dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.” Should lawyers “friend” judges on social media? That’s up in the air, with the guide noting that ethics committees in different states reach different conclusions. But if lawyers and judges do get buddy-buddy, definitely don’t “engage in ex parte communications or engage in other unethical conduct,” the guide warns. Blanchard notes that TYLA has distributed 550 social media guides and 250 copies of an earlier guide, Grievance and Malpractice 101. TYLA would like to produce one pocket guide each year, she said.
Paying Up in the Pokey
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