Proposed Formal Ethics Opinion 12

To: Members of the 28th Judicial District Bar

Re: Proposed Formal Ethics Opinion 12 Ruling that a lawyer may not take a security interest in a marital home to secure fees in an Equitable Distribution action

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Attached is a proposed Ethics Opinion regarding the propriety of securing fees in Equitable Distribution cases with marital real estate. This proposed opinion will be published for comment in the next State Bar Journal. Please share your comments with the State Bar so that when the Ethics Committee next meets, they will have the benefit of your input when they decide whether to recommend adoption of this opinion as official and binding.

Regards,

 Howard L. Gum
State Bar Councilor
28th Judicial District
P.O. Box 3235
Asheville, NC 28801-3235
Tel: 828-258-3368
Fax: 828-252-6721
Email: hgum@gumandhillier.com
Web: www.gumandhillier.com