"AvoidAClaim" Blog

The CBA Task Force continues to work to help the profession with conflicts issues.

On top of the original report and the amended model code of conduct, there is the excellent collection of precedent documents and checklists in the CBA Conflicts Task Force Toolkit. A full list of the documents in the toolkit is here. I am a member of the Task Force did a lot of work on the Toolkit. I think it is truly a fantastic collection of resources that can help lawyers avoid conflicts of interest claims.

There is also an overview and list of recent cases on conflicts of interest matters.

The Task Force is now working on a universal annotated engagement letter. This engagement letter precedent will be adaptable for use in a wide range of areas of law and types of practice. The goal is to provide practitioners with a template that they can easily customize for every client.

To help us prepare an engagement letter that is truly useful and helpful for all lawyers, CBA has just sent its members a survey of how and where they use retainers and engagements letters, and in what circumstances they are not used. If you are a CBA member, please complete the survey as your feedback will help us with this work.

If you would like a direct email notice when the CBA model engagement letter is released, please provide your email address here.

Cross posted on Slaw.ca

Now that spring is in the air, its time again for the LSUC/OBA Solo & Small Firm Conference & Expo.

This conference brings together the best presenters on technology and practice management issues and it is a great chance for small firm lawyers to get together, network, and get practical advice from other lawyers who face the same issues and challenges. Presentations this year touch on topics such as disaster & succession planning, HR and staffing issues; running a virtual law office, social media and networking; running a paperless office and technologies you should be using in your office. And that’s just to list a few. The full Conference schedule and list of presentations can be found in the program flyer. Lawyers can also visit the Exhibitors Hall, which will feature products and services from a wide variety of companies.

I am pleased to be co-chairing the conference for the fifth time, along with Donna Neff. I will also be a presenter. My sessions include the always popular 60 tips in 60 minutes opening plenary; one on time and email management, and one on Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint tips and tricks.

This is a conference organized by and for solo and small firm lawyers and it gets better every year. If you haven’t been before, make a point of attending this year. You’ll come away with new ideas and new contacts and you’ll have a great time as well! You can also attend via the web as several of the sessions will be webcast and others will be available for viewing across the web afterwards. I hope to see you there.

It was great to be quoted on the benefits for law firms of having a business plan in the April 2, 2010 Lawyers Weekly

There is great advice in this article. Unfortunately, it fails to mention that practicePRO also provides lawyers a sample law firm business plan (in Word) and a law firm budget template (an Excel spreadsheet). PDFs of both documents are also available, and all can be found on our Precedent Documents and Retainers page.

New and established lawyers alike can use these documents to plan for a more successful future.

Cross posted on Slaw.ca