Five Tips to Reduce the Likelihood of a Malpractice Claim
The American Bar Association reports that 4 out of 5 lawyers will receive a malpractice claim at some point during their career. Some practice areas such as residential real estate and personal injury have higher risks than other areas. However, every lawyer should implement risk management practices that reduc… Read More +
Let's Get Practical: Keys to Help Lawyers Avoid Malpractice
The legal profession is filled with complex rules and law students spend three years learning to analyze legal problems and find solutions for their client. As I learned during my internship that one of the most common claims filed against lawyers is a missing a statute of limitations – well, it intrigued me. I wondered what could be so hard about not missing a deadline. I quickly learned the difference between classroom learning and the actual practice of law. While working with Lawyers Mutual’s claims attorneys, I discovered multiple real-life situations that make dealing with a statute of limitations issue a more complex matter. This practical legal experience provided several key takeaways professionals should understand to avoid a malpractice claim. Read More +
Emergency Planning – Thinking About the Unthinkable
Attorney Alan Barnes was at the top of his game. He was 58 and had spent years building a thriving practice. His work included trusts and estates, general business, and real estate matters. In a moment, everything stopped when Alan suffered a massive stroke. For several days, he remained unconscious and c… Read More +
10 Tips for an Extended Leave Policy
Sometimes you have to be away from the office for an extended time because of a health issue, personal matter or unexpected crisis. Other times you need some time off for mental health reasons. Either way, it helps to have an Extended Leave Policy in your law office. “Clients and staff need to understan… Read More +
Missed Deadlines Are Top Cause of Legal Malpractice
First the bad news: blown statutes of limitation and other critical deadlines are the leading cause of malpractice claims. The good news: with a little effort and the right systems, you can dramatically reduce the risk in your law office. “Missed deadlines remain the number one source of claims at Lawye… Read More +
Missed Deadlines Top 2021 Malpractice Claims
Missed deadlines were the leading cause of malpractice claims in 2021. Many claims involved blown statutes of limitation. Others involved missed discovery deadlines and lapsed summonses. That’s according to 2021 claims statistics from Lawyers Mutual. “In 2021, litigation errors constituted one-… Read More +
Common Errors in Litigation Claims
In 2021, litigation errors constituted one-third of all the claims reported to Lawyers Mutual. Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, under the litigation umbrella, constituted the single practice area with the most reported claims. Missed deadlines breed the most errors. The lack of a good calendari… Read More +
Is Your Firm Like Weekend at Bernie’s?
Here’s a risk management tip: if your law firm is compared to the film “Weekend at Bernie’s,” it’s not a compliment. Yet that’s what happened in bankruptcy litigation involving the now-defunct LeClairRyan law firm, formerly based in Virginia. “The Chapte… Read More +
Remote Work in Florida is Not UPL
A lawyer licensed in New Jersey but practicing remotely from his home in Florida is not committing the unlicensed practice of law. That’s according to a May 20 advisory ethics opinion issued by the Florida Supreme Court. The attorney had requested the advisory ruling. He wanted to know if he cou… Read More +
Practice Points with Mark Scruggs: Improve Your Practice by Improving Your Engagement Agreement
A review of engagement agreements. Read More +
6 Steps to a Better Document Review System
When you hear the phrase “electronic document review,” you might get a headache thinking of all the stress and expense that’s involved. But document review doesn’t have to be a nightmare, nor does it need to be terribly expensive. By refining your search terms, streamlining your revi… Read More +
Giving Thanks for an Astonishing Law Life
Being thankful and looking back on a law career. Read More +
Cybersecurity Tips: Being Thankful for a Plan
Tips for creating a plan for cybersecurity. Read More +
Cybersecurity Tips: Setting You Up For Success
As we enter October, consider a goal of taking a little time each week to think about cybersecurity. Read More +
From Barrister to Barista: A Lawyer’s Journey
The secret to a happier and more successful Law Life is as simple as a cup of coffee. Read More +