"AvoidAClaim" Blog

An Ontario lawyer notified us that he received an email from the purported Lawson Roberts with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email:

From: Lawson Roberts
Date: Thu, May 23, 2013 at 5:32 AM
Subject: Legal Advice
To:

Lawson Roberts

How to handle a real or suspected fraud Read the rest of this entry →

Are you familiar with the various available legal technology options, and are you using everything you should be? Legal technology is essential for communicating with and serving clients, for completing law-related tasks, and for running and managing your practice.

Top 10 Technology Tools and How to Use Them, by Dan Pinnington, Richard Ferguson, David Bilinsky and David Masters reviews what the authors feel are the “top ten legal technologies,” that is, technologies that all law offices should be using or working towards implementing.

The top ten technologies reviewed in this paper are:

1. The Foundation: A Decent Computer System
2. Communications: Telephony and E-mail;
3. Finances: Integrated Trust Accounting, Time & Billing and General Ledger Software;
4. Systems: Practice Management Software;
5. Mobility: Personal Digital Assistants, Smartphones, Blackberries and Cell Phones;
6. Workflow: The Paperless Office and Document Management;
7. Efficiency: Document Assembly, Document Automation;
8. Strategy, Tactics and Execution: Litigation Software;
9. Specialty Software;
10. Advocacy: Presentation Tools;
11. No Hands: voice recognition and digital dictation software

Just as lawyers choose to practice solo or in small firm settings for a wide range of different reasons, there are many factors that play into the decision whether to develop a general practice or to focus on a particular niche.

Regardless of these factors, it’s important to actually consider the pros and cons of each model and to develop your new practice with intention and self-reflection. Some lawyers assume that it is commercially imperative −at least at first − to take every case that “walks in the door”. However, this strategy focuses on minimizing one kind of risk − the risk that you won’t be able to pay your bills – to the exclusion of other categories of risk you may not have considered: for example, the risk of dabbling too far out of your scope of competence and facing a malpractice claim. (Learn about the risks of dabbling in “Diversify without dabbling: Before expanding your practice, expand your confidence!” from the August 2012 issue of LAWPRO Magazine.)

Many areas of the law are much more complex today than they were a generation ago. While the image of the generalist lawyer − often working in a small town, developing “clients for life” and meeting all of their varied legal needs – may appeal to those with a true service orientation, it is very challenging to design a practice around more than one or two core areas of legal work. Each area of law requires fairly different approaches when it comes to calendaring, document generation, and procedure, and making all of these work together in one small office is a considerable challenge.

Many successful solos and small firm lawyers discover that while it may take time and may require turning down certain files, developing a more focused practice is both more manageable and more rewarding. Focusing on a single area of law or − if you are in a larger centre, even a single type of case within a single area of law – makes it easier for you to develop a thorough, deep, and current understanding of the relevant law; to build useful precedents; to purchase software and systems that best support your work; and to attract clients based on your reputation for excellence. You may need to take on a broader scope of matters when you first go into practice; however, once you are on your feet, you can work on narrowing your focus through targeted marketing and by soliciting referrals in your preferred area.

Work in a small centre and feel pressure to be “everything to everyone”? It’s admirable to be concerned about access to justice in your community. However, there may be solutions that don’t require you to take on work you’re not sure you’re up to. With a little effort, solos and small firm practitioners outside major centres can create vibrant referral networks and shared-space arrangements that help everyone attract more of the right kind of business, while ensuring that the clients can access the legal help they need without travelling too far. (For more information about managing risk when collaborating or sharing space, please see “Here today, gone tomorrow: Insurance implications of lawyer transfers and practice structures” from the January 2012 issue of LAWPRO Magazine.)

Remember – one of the most common reasons lawyers choose solo or small firm practice is to have greater autonomy. Your practice is yours to build… use intention and networking to build something that really suits you.

A lawyer in California notified us that he received an email from the purported Kazuo Hirai of Chuko Electric Co Ltd with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email:

From: Chuko Electric Co Ltd [mailto:chukoelectriccoltd@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 2:27 PM
To:
Subject: litigation case

Email: chukoelectriccoltd@gmail.com

How to handle a real or suspected fraud Read the rest of this entry →

Two Ontario lawyers a dozen in the U.S. have notified us that they received an email from the purported Matthew Shilton of Holbury Hardware Stores with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email:

From: Matthew Shilton [mailto:matthewjshiltoni@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: April-26-13 2:36 PM
To:
Subject: REQUEST FOR COUNSEL

Regards,
Matthew Shilton
Manager
Holbury Hardware Stores
125 Long Lane Holbury
Southampton SO45 2NZ,United Kingdom
TEL:+44 238 097 0628
FAX:+44 238 005 1245

A lawyer who replied got this reply and fake documentation:

Thank you for responding to our email to your firm. Our case is a really straight forward one. We had urgent need of the goods listed in the contract attached and contacted TRUE VALUE COMPANY. We contacted them because they had the specific manufacturers of the products we needed. We were given their prices which we found satisfactory and asked to pay a 50% down payment for goods to be delivered and the balance after goods have gotten to its destination.

Matthew Shilton

Shilton CREDIT FOR $ 1,667,090

Shilton Transfer Receipt From Tvc to our creditor

Shilton TVC CONTRACT FL

Shilton TVC EMAILS RECORDS 1

Shilton TVC EMAILS RECORDS 2

How to handle a real or suspected fraud Read the rest of this entry →

Mediation is a powerful tool. When managed by a capable mediator, it can shine a bright light on a dispute, illuminating for all parties the strengths and the weaknesses of their respective positions.

The dynamic nature of mediation can also create unintended hazards.

To read the article click here or on the image above. The article orginally appeared in the the Winter 2006 “Delivering on the Client Service Promise” issue of LAWPRO Magazine. All past issues of LAWPRO Magazine can be found at www.lawpro.ca/magazinearchives

An Ontario lawyer has notified us that he received an email from the purported Giovanni Bertolotto of Binding Union with regards to a commercial debt collection scam. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email. Some also include the name Giorgio Vincenzo as the president and Aten Elletronical as the company.:

From: Giovanni Bertolotto
To:

bertolottigiovani@gmail.com

How to handle a real or suspected fraud Read the rest of this entry →

Three Ontario lawyers have notified us that they have been contacted by the purported Margaret Brockman with regards to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For details on how this fraud works and a full list of names attached to it see our Confirmed Fraud page.

Here is the initial email:

From: Margaret Brockman
ReplyTo: margaretbrock1967@gmail.co
Subject: Dear Counsel
Sent: May 20, 2013 2:03 PM

Thanks,
Margaret Brockman.

A lawyer who replied got this response:

Thank you for your prompt response. Kindly see attachment for the requested ID’s.

Ms. Brockman.

How to handle a real or suspected fraud Read the rest of this entry →

Three U.S. lawyers have notified us that they’ve been contacted by the purported Meg Li Martinez with regards to a to a collaborative family law agreement dispute. This is a fraud we have seen before under several other names and similar scenarios. For examples of other names attached to this kind of fraud see our Confirmed Fraud Page. For an explanation of how this fraud works see our Fraud Fact Sheet.

Here is the initial email:

From: meglsc@iprimus.com.au [mailto:meglsc@iprimus.com.au]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 10:49 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Contempt Petition

Regards,
Meg Li

A lawyer who replied got this response and fake documentation:

Thanks for your responds, I am glad for the opportunity given me to explain everything concerning my case to you. I can also be reach on (253)785-0889, or my private number on (617) 383-7494 . but am presently going out to check on my cousin who is admitted in the hospital. I don’t really know when I will get back home but it is imperative for me to give you a detailed rundown of my legal issue with my ex-husband. I may likely call you later today.

Regards
Meg Li Martinez

Martinez Divorce Decree

Martinez Separation Agreement

How to handle a real or suspected fraud Read the rest of this entry →

Nothing has a more dramatic and immediate impact on successful client relations and your bottom line as your approach to drafting bills. Motivated clients will pay their bills with a higher degree of reliability. Satisfied clients will help you to grow your practice. On the flip side, sending clients bills they feel are unfair or unjustified risks unpaid invoices, loss of clients, and missed client referrals.

This book will help you communicate trust, confidence, and value to the client. The authors take you step-by-step through the process of building the client relationship, setting the appropriate fee agreement, and drafting the bill that will get you paid. Comparisons and samples of fee agreements and invoices are integrated throughout the text, along with a clear explanation of which methods work best-and why.

The practicePRO Lending Library is a free resource for Ontario lawyers of more than 100 books on a wide variety of law practice management related topics. You can see a full listing of our books here. You may borrow a book in person or via e-mail.

The practicePRO Library is located in our office at 250 Yonge Street, Suite 3101 in Toronto and can be visited during our regular business hours (Mon to Fri, 8:30 to 5:00). We invite you to come by anytime (please email in advance)to peruse our selection. All titles in the practicePRO Lending Library can be shipped to Ontario lawyers at our expense, and returned at yours after three weeks.

If you would like to borrow this or any other book please email us. Most of our titles are also available from the American Bar Association Web Store or the major booksellers here in Canada.