Janis Meyer

Full Profile

Janis Meyer advises clients on professional responsibility, risk management and professional liability issues, with a particular emphasis on attorneys and law firms. Having served as the general counsel of a global firm, she is familiar with a broad spectrum of issues arising in law firms and assists clients on a variety of matters relating to law firm organization, management, policies and structure. Janis was a partner and General Counsel of Dewey & LeBoeuf and its predecessor, Dewey Ballantine, and served as a member of the two-person wind-down committee that oversaw Dewey & LeBoeuf's bankruptcy filing and the subsequent wind-down of the firm.   She is a prolific speaker on ethics and risk management issues at conferences throughout the country, as well as the UK.

Janis is a Special Professor of Law at The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, where she teaches "The Practical Aspects of Lawyering" and "Legal Ethics". Janis is also a Lecturer in Law at Columbia University School of Law, where she teaches "Professional Responsibility." 

Janis clerked for the Honorable George C. Pratt in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Admissions 

• New York
• US District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
• US District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
• US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Education

•  J.D., with distinction, Hofstra University School of Law, 1981. Managing Editor, Hofstra Law Review.
• M.A., Ohio State University
• B.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook

Memberships

• New York City Bar Association
  • Professional Discipline Committee, 2018-present
  • Professional Ethics Committee, 2014-2018
  • Recruitment and Retention of Lawyers Committee, 1993-2011, Chair 2007-2011
• Law360
  • Legal Ethics Editorial Advisory Board, 2016-present
• Hofstra University-Northwell Medical School
  • Joint Board of Overseers, 2011-present
  • Co-Chair, 2011-2014
• Hofstra University
  • Board of Trustees, 1993-present
  • Chair, 2011-2014

Experience

Presentations

• Moderator, "What's Keeping General Counsel Awake at Night?" Legal Malpractice and Risk Management Conference, Webinar, March 2021
• Moderator, "The Sky Isn't Falling – New Developments in Non-lawyer Ownership of Law Firms," Legal Malpractice and Rick Management Conference, Webinar, March 2021
• Moderator, "Professional Responsibility in the Wake of a Pandemic," New York City Bar Association, Webinar, February 2021
• Panelist, "Crossing State Lines – The State of Unauthorized Practice of Law Regulation Now and Post-Pandemic," Clyde & Co NY Roundtable, Webinar, December 2020
• Moderator, "Diversity and Inclusion," Clyde & Co. North American Women's Initiative, Webinar, November 2020
• "Ethical Issues in Outsourcing Deals," Practicing Law Institute, Webinar, October 2020
• Panelist, "Mental Health in the Profession," Practical Law Institute Employment Law Institute Program, Webinar, October 2020
• Panelist, "Fostering an Ethical Environment in a Highly Regulated Environment," International Bar Association, Webinar, September 2020
• Panelist, "Legal Ethics and Lawyering in a Pandemic and Post-Pandemic World," Webinar, Texas A&M University School of Law and the Dallas Bar Association, Webinar, June 2020
• Panelist, "Return to Work Employment Issues," Clyde & Co NY Roundtable, Webinar, May 2020
• Moderator, "Us Too," Clyde & Co GC Forum, Webinar, May 2020
• Moderator, "Answers to Ethics Questions You Were Afraid to Ask," New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, February 2020
• "Ethical Issues in Negotiating Sourcing Deals," Practical Law Institute, New York, New York, October 2019
• "Ethics in the International Practice of Law," New York State International Bar Association Program, New York, New York, June 2019
• Panelist, "Ethics and Professionalism: Best Practices for Attorneys 2019," The New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, May 2019
• Panel Chair, "Cultural Issues in Law Firms: #MeToo – What is It, Where are We, and Where are We Going?" Tenth General Counsel Compliance and Risk Forum, London, England, May 2019
• Panel Chair, "Cultural Issues in Law Firms: Mental Well-Being – Supporting Lawyers and Protecting Clients," Tenth General Counsel Compliance and Risk Forum, London, England, May 2019
• Panelist, "Ethics for the Criminal Practitioner," New York Criminal Bar Association, New York, New York, March 2019
• Moderator, "Ethical Issues that Keep Lawyers Awake at Night," New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, February 2019
• "Ethical Issues in Negotiating Sourcing Deals," Practising Law Institute, New York, New York, November 2018
• Panelist, "Social Media and Ethics: Using it Effectively – But Being Careful Doing So," ABA National Lawyer Referral Workshop, ABA Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 2018
• Panelist, "Lateral Risk: The Enemy Within," ABA National Legal Malpractice Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 2018
• Panelist, "How to Wind Down Your Practice – Comfortably and Ethically," Hudson Valley Bankruptcy Bar Association, New York, September 2018
• "Ethics in the International Practice of Law," New York State International Bar Association, New York, New York, June 2018
• Panelist, "Ethics & Professionalism: Best Practices for Attorneys 2018," The New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, May 2018
• Moderator, "What's Keeping Law Firm General Counsel Awake at Night," Legal Malpractice and Risk Management Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 2018
• Moderator, "Ethical Dilemmas that Keep Lawyers Awake at Night," The New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, February 2018
• "Ethical Issues in Negotiating Sourcing Deals," Practising Law Institute, New York, New York, November 2017
• Panelist, "Ethics for Corporate Counsel 2017," New York State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Institute, New York, New York, November 2017
• "Ethics in a Wireless World: The Perils Posed by Lawyers' Use of Technology," Oklahoma Bar Association Business & Corporate Law Section, Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 2017
• Panelist, "The Death of Conflicts," Federal Bar Council Fall Retreat, New Paltz, New York, October 2017
• "Coloring within the Ethical Lines: A Look at Some Professional Responsibility Issues Arising in Our Digital World,"
• "'Technotainment' 2017: Distributing Content Across Multiple Platforms," Practising Law Institute, New York, New York, October 2017
• "Some Everyday Ethical Dilemmas," New York County Lawyers Association Matrimonial Law Section, New York, New York, October 2017
• "The Perils Posed by Lawyers' Use of Technology/Dumb Things Lawyers Do," State Bar of Michigan Insurance and Indemnity Law Section, Detroit, Michigan, September 2017
• Panelist, "Alternative Fee Arrangements: What Works," Bloomberg/BNA Webinar, June 2017
• Panelist, "Ethical Considerations: Knotty Issues in Employment Discrimination Cases," Practising Law Institute, New York, New York, June 2017
• Moderator, "Searching for a Common Language: A Comparison of Some Regulatory and Ethical Issues in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States," New York State Bar Association Section of International Law, Dublin, Ireland, April 2017
• Panelist, "Ethics & Professionalism: Better Practices for Attorneys 2017," City Bar Center for Continuing Legal Education, New York, New York, March 2017
• Panelist, "General Counsel and Their Managing Partners: Developing a Risk Management Partnership," Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 2017
• Moderator, "Tales from the GC's Office: What's Keeping Law Firm General Counsel Busy?" Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 2017
• Panelist, "Timely Ethics Issues: Interacting with Witnesses, Firm General Counsel," Federal Bar Council Winter Bench and Bar Conference, Palm Springs, California, February 2017
• "Answers to Everyday Ethical Questions," Moderator, The New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, February 2017
• "Ethics Issues in Negotiating Sourcing Deals," Practising Law Institute, New York, New York, November 2016
• "Ethics for Corporate Counsel 2016," New York State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section, New York, New York, October 2016
• "Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials - Working Effectively Across the Generations," Annual Meeting, The National Association of Women Lawyers, July 2016
• "Ethical Warnings for Attorneys Working with Charitable Gifts," ABA Trust and Estate & Real Property 2016 Spring Symposia, Boston, Massachusetts, May 2016
• "Who's Getting Sanctioned and Why?" Hinshaw & Culbertson's Law Firm General Counsel Roundtable, University Club, Chicago, Illinois, May, 2016
• "Ripped From the Headlines: What's Worrying Law Firm GCs?" Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 2016
• "Getting Engaged: A New Look at Engagement Letters (and Outside Counsel Guidelines)," Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 2016
• "Managing Ethical Obligations and Risks in the Representation of Startup, Financial Services and Tech Companies," New York State Bar Association Committee on Women in the Law Annual Meeting, New York, New York, January 2016
• "Staying Out of Trouble: Anatomy of a Legal Malpractice Case," Practising Law Institute, December 2015
• "Legal Ethics in the Era of Law Firm Mergers and Vereins," Strafford Webinars, December 2015
• "Ethical Issues in New York State Escrow Accounts," Practising Law Institute, New York, New York, June 2015

Publications

• Co-author, "A Fresh Look at Personal Interest Conflicts Involving Lawyers' Relationships with Other Lawyers," New York Law Journal, October 30, 2020
• Co-author, "Preserving – and Managing – Client Documents and Information During the Pandemic," New York Law Journal, September 2020
• Co-author, "Rising to the Ethical Challenges of Remote Working," New York Law Journal, May 2020
• Co-author, "The Ethical Implications of Pillow Talk," New York Law Journal, November 2018
• Co-interviewed and quoted, "Legal Sector Hiring Shows Shift In Demand And Practices," Law360, March 2018 
• Co-interviewed and quoted, "3 Tips For When A Longtime Firm Leader Steps Down," Law360, November 2017 
• Co-interviewed and quoted, "Regulation of the Legal Profession in the United States: Overview," Regulation of the Legal Profession Global Guide, April 2017 
• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: What to Do When Your Client wants to Make A Bequest to Your Favorite Charity," ABA/BNALawyers' Manual on Professional Conduct, 32 Law Man. Prof. Conduct 751, December 2016 
• Co-interviewed and quoted, "Into The Hereafter: 3 Things To Do When Your Client Dies," Law360, December 2016 
• Co-interviewed and quoted, "How To Best Prepare A Client For The Legal Bill," Law360, August 2016 
• "How To Close A Law Firm — Practically And Ethically," Law 360, July 2016
• "The Panama Papers – An Incentive for 'Spring Cleaning'," New York Law Journal, June 2016
• "Hygiene for Escrow Accounts: Time for a Checkup?," The New York Legal Ethics Reporter, January 2015