Adams and Reese Memphis partner, President of the Tennessee Bar Association and past Treasurer of the American Bar Association (ABA) Lucian T. Pera has co-authored, “Lawyers’ Obligations to Provide Data Security Arising from the Ethics Rules,” in the just-published second edition of the ABA Cybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law Firms and Business Professionals. This update to the ABA Cybersecurity Handbook is especially timely given the increasing exposure of lawyers and their clients to data breaches and constantly evolving laws and guidelines. In-house lawyers and private practitioners alike need more and better guidance on these difficult issues, as technologies and risks continue to change rapidly. The first edition’s ethics chapter was prominently cited and quoted as authoritative in the ABA’s own recent formal legal ethics opinion on lawyers’ duties to protect client confidential information, ABA Formal Opinion 477R (issued May 22, 2017).
The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law Firms, and Business Professionals, Second Edition is a compendium of information that ‘will enable lawyers and law firms to identify potential cybersecurity risks and prepare a response in the event of an attack. It addresses the current overarching threat as well as ethical issues and special considerations for law firms of all sizes. It also includes the most recent ABA Ethics Opinions and illustrates how to approach the subject of cybersecurity threats and issues with clients, as well as when and how to purchase and use cyber insurance.’" - Lawfareblog
About Lucian T. Pera
Pera’s extensive bar association work in the field of legal ethics and professional responsibility has led to his Tennessee and national practice and leadership, including on issues of cybersecurity for lawyers and law firms. He represents and advises attorneys, law firms, their clients, and businesses who deal with lawyers about all aspects of the law. Recent assignments have included defense of lawyers in disciplinary investigations, counseling clients with disciplinary and other claims against lawyers, advising law firms about loss prevention and claims, and defending and prosecuting motions to disqualify lawyers or for sanctions.
As the youngest member of the ABA “Ethics 2000” Commission, Pera was actively involved in the most recent complete revision of the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which are now the model for the lawyer ethics rules in every American jurisdiction except California. Since his Ethics 2000 experience, Pera has been deeply involved in the ABA House of Delegates’ consideration of every other significant change to the ABA Model Rules. He currently chairs the governing committee of the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility, the home of the ABA’s standing ethics, discipline, and professionalism committees.
Pera’s civil litigation practice has ranged widely and includes a variety of commercial, personal injury and intellectual property litigation, as well as numerous state and federal appeals. He has represented many media outlets in all sorts of matters, ranging from claims and lawsuits for defamation or invasion of privacy to access to courtrooms, public records, and meetings of government bodies.
Pera is a frequent writer, speaker and presenter nationally on legal ethics and professional responsibility and media law.