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Simple English definitions for legal terms

attorney-witness rule

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A quick definition of attorney-witness rule:

The attorney-witness rule states that a lawyer who may be called to testify in a trial cannot also act as an advocate in the case, unless the testimony is about an uncontested matter or the amount of attorney's fees, or if not allowing the lawyer to participate would cause significant hardship for the client. The rule allows a lawyer to be a witness on formal matters but discourages them from testifying on behalf of their client.

A more thorough explanation:

The attorney-witness rule, also known as the lawyer-witness rule, is a principle that states that an attorney who is likely to be called as a fact witness in a trial cannot participate as an advocate in the case. This is unless the testimony is about an uncontested matter, the amount of attorney's fees in the case, or if disqualifying the attorney would create a substantial hardship for the client.

The rule allows an attorney who is actively participating in the case to be a witness on formal matters but discourages testimony on other matters on behalf of a client. This rule is outlined in the Model Rule of Professional Conduct 3.7 (1983).

For example, if an attorney is representing a client in a personal injury case and was present during the accident, they may be called as a witness to testify about what they saw. In this case, the attorney cannot continue to act as an advocate for their client in the trial.

Another example is if an attorney is representing a client in a divorce case and is also a financial expert. If the attorney's testimony is needed to explain complex financial matters, they may be allowed to testify as a witness, but they cannot continue to act as an advocate for their client in the trial.

attorney's fees | attornment

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12:34
gotchu
hello friends
13:09
Yo
lawguy we're nearly stats twins :D
13:13
I saw that, and I saw you got the Georgetown interview invite yesterday too! Goodluck!
you too haha, i was super surprised to have received one so early not gonna lie
i heard the group interview is really chill and I'm kinda excited to do it
seems cool
13:14
Yeah, 7sage has a page that talks about the questions for each schools interview, GULC's seems unique
13:15
Idk how much of an effect it has on admissions chances but should be cool either way
ive heard the conversion rate for gulc group interview is pretty high even moreso if you have the stats
it's hard to say but i've also heard that the group interview is harder to get than the alumni interview. but who really knows tbh
im p sure they don't interview everyone and getting one this early should be a great sign!
13:16
Yeah I've heard the same ab the group interview
13:17
So maybe I'll see you in D.C. a year from now lmao
initiallaw
13:32
Speaking of stat twins kazuyamishima were exact stat twins lol
17:13
Anyone going to the UGA zoom thing on the 22nd?
17:16
My bad, 24th*
Idk, what's it for?
@Law-Guy: How'd you get the Vandy fee waiver?
17:32
What does going ur3 in 3 days mean at Uva 😅
that you will get UR2 in 3 more
17:33
somethings gotta give
I’m new. What’s the UR and UR2?
17:35
I already went ur2. It’s the 3rd status date change
17:35
@RustyWrangler: attend one of their virtual info sessions and they'll send you a fee waiver
@Law-Guy: Awesome, thanks! I'll sign up rn!
i'm not entirely sure
They've recently been sending a lot of interview invites
It means status change?
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