Attorney & Law Firm Representation
Practical, experienced legal counsel for attorneys and law firms navigating the professional and ethical dimensions of practice — from formation to dissolution and everything in between.
The business of practicing law raises complex professional responsibility questions at every stage. Whether you are starting a firm, navigating a lateral transition, managing a departure, or facing a bar admission challenge, the decisions you make carry ethical and legal consequences that are not always obvious.
Attorney Ellen Brotman has represented lawyers and law firms for more than three decades, advising on the professional responsibility dimensions of practice management with candor, discretion, and practical experience. Her counsel helps attorneys avoid problems before they arise — and resolve them effectively when they do.
Our Services for Attorneys & Law Firms
Law Firm Formation
Starting a law firm requires more than filing paperwork. Ellen Brotman advises attorneys on the professional responsibility obligations that govern new firms: naming requirements, supervision of non-lawyer staff, fee sharing arrangements, advertising compliance, and client file protocols. Building the right foundation from the start protects both the firm and its clients.
Law Firm Dissolution & Merger
When a firm dissolves or merges, the professional obligations to existing clients do not dissolve with it. Ellen Brotman guides firms through the ethical requirements governing client notification, file transitions, outstanding matters, trust account wind-down, and fee resolution — helping ensure that firm transitions do not trigger disciplinary exposure.
Lateral Transitions & Attorney Departures
Lateral moves are among the most professionally fraught events in a lawyer’s career. Conflicts of interest, client solicitation, the portability of client files, obligations to both the departing and receiving firm, and the treatment of pending matters all demand careful attention. Ellen Brotman advises both departing attorneys and the firms they are leaving or joining, with a focus on protecting everyone’s professional standing.
Conflicts & Client Management
Conflict of interest issues can arise at any stage of representation and, if mishandled, can expose attorneys to both malpractice and disciplinary liability. Ellen Brotman provides guidance on identifying, analyzing, and resolving conflicts — including advice on client consent, waiver, and withdrawal when conflicts cannot be resolved.
Bar Admission Representation
Candidates for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar who face character and fitness challenges deserve experienced representation. Ellen Brotman represents applicants before the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners, helping present the strongest possible case for admission.
Why Attorneys and Firms Choose BrotmanLaw PLLC
Ellen Brotman brings a rare combination of courtroom experience, deep knowledge of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, and decades of practice management perspective. She understands that professional responsibility questions rarely have clean answers — and that attorneys need counsel who will give them straight advice, not just tell them what they want to hear.
Ellen is admitted in Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and New York, and advises attorneys practicing in all three jurisdictions.
Questions About Your Firm or Practice?
Whether you are planning a firm launch, managing a complex departure, or dealing with a conflict situation, BrotmanLaw PLLC can help. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
Phone: 215-217-1118
Email: ebrotman@ellenbrotmanlaw.com