Toby Rothschild

Toby Rothschild is a prominent member of the California Lawyers Association Ethics Committee, where he has contributed significantly to discussions on legal ethics and professionalism. He graduated from UCLA School of Law in 1969 and has dedicated much of his career to legal services, particularly in roles that emphasize the importance of ethical practices within the legal profession.

Career Highlights

• Legal Aid Foundation: Rothschild served for 30 years at the Legal Aid Foundation of Long Beach, including 27 years as Executive Director. He later became General Counsel for the merged organization, Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation (LAFLA), serving in this capacity for 14 years.
• Ethics Training: After retiring from LAFLA in 2014, he became Of Counsel to OneJustice, where he provides ethics training and consulting to various legal services programs throughout California.
• Committee Involvement: Rothschild has been active on several State Bar committees, including the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Committee. He played a key role in drafting new rules for professional responsibility that took effect in 2018.

Contributions to Legal Ethics

Rothschild's work focuses on navigating complex ethical issues faced by lawyers, particularly in representing clients with diminished capacity or those who do not speak the same language as their attorney. He emphasizes the need for competence and effective communication, as outlined in the California Rules of Professional Conduct. His insights are aimed at ensuring that legal practitioners uphold high ethical standards while effectively serving diverse client populations.

Educational Engagement

In addition to his committee work, Rothschild frequently lectures on legal ethics and has authored articles addressing challenges such as language barriers in legal representation. He advocates for using certified interpreters to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure accurate communication between lawyers and clients.

Overall, Toby Rothschild is recognized for his extensive experience and commitment to promoting ethical conduct within the legal profession, making significant contributions through both practice and education.