The Art of Professionalism: Demonstrating Civility and Integrity in Legal Practice

Dafney Dubuisson Stokes | Wong Fleming

Dafney Dubuisson Stokes is a Partner of Wong Fleming. Ms. Dubuisson Stokes concentrates her practice in commercial litigation, creditor’s rights, bankruptcy and automotive finance. She has successfully defended Fortune 500 corporate clients in connection with Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices, Truth in Lending and bankruptcy litigation on a national level. Prior to a career in the law, Ms. Dubuisson Stokes worked for almost a decade in the social service sector advocating for youth in specialized foster care placement. Ms. Dubuisson Stokes has since redirected her passion for advocacy by developing strong relationships with her clients, vigorously representing their interests and tirelessly in engaging within the legal community in promotion of diversity and inclusion in the profession.

Ms. Dubuisson Stokes presently serves as the co-chair of the Emerging Leaders Initiative within NAMWOLF (National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms), which aims to achieve equity in the legal profession through collaboration between law firms and the corporate sector. Ms. Dubuisson Stokes is also a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Ethics Committee, (District IIIB) and on the Board of Marks Cares, Inc. in Montclair, New Jersey with a mission to eradicate homelessness throughout New Jersey. Ms. Dubuisson Stokes has also been recognized by NJBIZ as a 2023 Leaders in Law honoree.

Ms. Dubuisson Stokes is licensed to practice law in Alaska (2023), New Jersey (2013), New York (2018), Ohio (2022) and Pennsylvania (2012). She holds a B.A. with honors from Boston College and a J.D. from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law.

I. Enhancing client trust through respectful communication | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

• Strategies to foster clear, respectful interactions with clients in compliance with ABA Model Rule 1.4

II. Navigating disagreements with integrity | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

• Tools for handling disputes ethically, following ABA Model Rule 3.1

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Responsible use of AI in legal practice | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

• Guidelines for leveraging technology while safeguarding client confidentiality and adhering to ABA Model Rules 1.6 and 1.9

IV. Professional conduct on social media | 2:40pm – 3:10pm

• Best practices to avoid misconduct and maintain integrity online, based on ABA Model Rule 8.4