Alaska Bar Association Ethics Committee Opinion No. 2014-3

Topic: Cloud Computing and the Practice of Law

 Conclusion of the Committee:

 “A lawyer may use cloud computing for file storage as long as he or she takes reasonable steps to ensure that sensitive client information remains confidential and safeguarded.  With the issuance of this opinion, Alaska joins the community of bar associations concluding that cloud computing is permissible so long as reasonable steps to protect the client are taken.”

The full text available at: https://www.alaskabar…

Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct 1.6(a), (c); 1.15(a); 5.3(a)

Referenced ethic opinions:

  • NH Bar Ethics Op. 2012-13/4
  • AL Bar Ethics Op. 2010-02
  • CA Bar Ethics Op. 2010-179, p.3
  • FL Bar Ethics Op. 06-1 (2006)
  • IA Bar Ethics Op. 11-01 (2011), p.2
  • IL Bar Ethics Op. 10-01 (2009), p.3
  • ME Bar Ethics Op. 194 (2008)
  • MA Bar Ethics Op. 05-04 (2005)
  • NV Bar Ethics Op. 33 (2006)
  • NY Bar Ethics Op. 842 (2010)
  • NC Bar Ethics Op. 6 (2011)
  • ND Bar Ethics Op. 99-03 (1999) p.3
  • OR Bar Ethics Op. 2011-188
  • PA Bar Ethics Op. 2011-200, p.1
  • VT Bar Ethics Op. 2003-03
  • VA Bar Ethics Op. 1818 (2005)

Related material: “Something’s got to give” – Cloud Computing, as applied to lawyers – Comparative approach US and EU and practical proposals to overcome differences