Jay Reeves practiced law in North Carolina and South Carolina. He was Legal Editor at Lawyers Weekly and Risk Manager at Lawyers Mutual. He is the author of The Most Powerful Attorney in the World, a collection of short stories from a law life well-lived, which as the seasons pass becomes less about law and liability and more about loss, love, longing, laughter and life's lasting luminescence.
New law students should approach the next three years as if they were working a regular 40-hour a week job, while reserving weekends for recreation and relaxation. They should also try to develop close friendships with others in their class. These will be the people they can count on for jobs, referrals and mo… Read More
If you want your message to reach millennials without breaking your advertising budget, Facebook remains the place to go. With more than 2.2 billion monthly users worldwide – and close to 165 million users in the US alone – Facebook is by far the most popular social media platform. Its customer bas… Read More
You may or may not know that September is National Preparedness Month, as state and local disaster agencies urge us to plan ahead for hurricanes, fires and floods. But what you definitely should know is that inclement weather could change the operating hours and procedures of government offices – and thi… Read More
A story about the ethics of 'playing good.' Read More
In some career transitions – such as the retirement of a solo attorney – the law practice must either be shuttered or placed in someone else’s hands. This may also be the case for baby boomers cruising into their golden years, new judges stepping onto the bench and practitioners of all types … Read More
“We hacked your website and we’ve got data on you and your clients.” The mere thought of hearing those words is enough to wake you up screaming in the middle of the night. Just as frightening is the idea of sitting helplessly and waiting for it to happen. Yet that’s what many law firms… Read More
If you’re traveling to another county for a case, your main concerns are probably locating the courthouse and making it inside before your case is called. Now you can enhance the pleasure of your trip, thanks to a book written by a long-time North Carolina attorney. Trials and TRIPulations: Observances … Read More
The best defense against a malpractice claim is to keep a close eye on your calendar. That’s because most claims are the result of administrative errors like missing a key deadline or not filing a document on time. “Although attorneys typically devote significant effort to ensuring that they get t… Read More
Here’s a free risk management tip: it’s never a good thing when the judge calls your request for attorney fees “an April Fool’s Joke” and “highway robbery without the six-gun.” It happened in New York, where a judge slashed a $464,000 fee request from Greenberg Traurig… Read More
Long gone are the days of law firms with histories that date back a century or more and plans for staying intact for years to come. The reason is clear – large firm mergers and acquisitions – and it’s a trend that is continuing in full force. In the second quarter of 2018 alone, there were 2… Read More
If you’re having trouble accomplishing everything you need to do in a given day, it might not be because you’re overloaded with work or you’re a poor time manager. It could simply mean you need a refresher course in the Urgent-Important Matrix. “What is important is seldom urgent, and … Read More
Close to 90 percent of the NC law firms that participated in this year’s Managing Partner Summit have a designated Managing Partner or Managing Committee. That shouldn’t be terribly surprising. It was a Managing Partners gathering, after all. But two-thirds of those firms don’t have a formal… Read More
Is thinking like a lawyer an overrated skill – and would the profession be better served if law schools added courses on EQ, moral decision-making and social justice? These questions are being raised against the backdrop of a rapidly-evolving legal education landscape. In recent years, a handful of for-… Read More
In an environment where change happens overnight and new competitors emerge every day, law firms have to differentiate themselves to survive. Yet, many lawyers are unable to articulate a reason clients should choose them over the firm across the street. “When asked if their law firm projects a distinct … Read More
Talking less and doing more is the focus of a first-of-its kind ABA retreat that will emphasize personal and professional growth. On October 4 and 5, lawyers and their staffs will gather at Vail, Colorado for the inaugural ABA Lawyer Retreat. Sessions will include “Crucial Conversations,” “De… Read More
For lawyers handling real estate closings, it’s important to know that seller fraud continues to rise, especially with the upcoming holiday season when distractions are high, and fraudsters are active.
Lawyers Mutual has published previous alerts regarding the new filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) that went into effect January 1, 2024. After reviewing additional resources, we want to emphasize concerns that we have about the risks and increased potential liability for lawyers undertaking the reporting requirements. This is especially true for the continuing reporting requirements after entity formation and initial reporting.