Christian & Small Partner Robert E. Cooper spoke at the Professional Liability Defense Federation (PLDF) Annual Meeting held September 17-19, 2014, in Washington, D.C. Cooper and John L. Carroll, dean of Cumberland School of Law and former federal magistrate judge in the Middle District of Alabama, co-presented “Ethics in Jury Selection: Discovery of Juror Misrepresentation and Effects of Social Media.”
The presentation explored the ethical obligations and limitations that apply to lawyers when investigating jurors and what the lawyers’ obligations may be should they become aware of a juror not providing a truthful answer during voir dire. Cooper and Carroll assessed the issues in light of the applicable Rules of Professional Conduct in the context of the increasing availability and use of various forms of social media.
The PLDF is an association of malpractice defense professionals. The 2014 Annual Meeting included substantive discussions involving developments in the law, defending malpractice claims, ethics instruction, trial tactics and emerging professional liability claims.