About LAWPRO
Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) is owned by the Law Society of Upper Canada and is licensed to provide professional liability insurance and title insurance in numerous jurisdictions across Canada. Through its malpractice insurance program, LAWPRO insures over 25,000 practising lawyers in Ontario, as well as providing them with risk and practice management information under the practicePRO banner.
LAWPRO's Posts
Self-assessment for lawyers: do I need help?
Lawyers are used to helping others with their problems. This can lead to viewing others – not ourselves – as the people with the problems. But lawyers are actually more likely than the population average to experience addiction or suffer from mental illness. Many worry that there is a potent stigma attached to being a… Read More »
Categories: Wellness and BalanceThe day-to-day stresses and challenges of being a lawyer
A sole practitioner and single mom is locked in a room in her house. Her young autistic son, outside the room, has put a chair up against the door to prevent it from opening. There is a lot of yelling and screaming. She calls 911 and the police arrive. One of the constables happens to… Read More »
Categories: Wellness and BalanceLAWPRO Student Magazine: What do law firms look for?
Law students – like all students – are prone to anxiety about their career prospects. High-profile news about the employment challenges faced by new grads in the U.S. and changes in the articling requirements for Ontario have combined to create a climate of worry. But worrying about trends and generalizations can obscure the fact that… Read More »
Categories: Career ManagementpracticePRO Resource: Building a firm mentoring program and culture
This Appendix to Managing a Mentoring Relationship (adapted with permission from Lois J. Zachary’s The Mentor’s Guide) contains an outline of the major issues that should be considered when a firm mentoring program is created. Ensure full and visible support from top management Create an action plan for engaging top management in the creation and… Read More »
Categories: Law Practice ManagementLAWPRO video: Ever wonder what happens if you die without a will?
As part of LAWPRO’s public awareness efforts to promote the role of the lawyer, we have produced a video: Ever wonder what happens if you die without a will? It emphasizes how a preparing a will can avoid a lot of headaches. We will be promoting this video through social media and other channels, and… Read More »
Categories: Wills & EstatespracticePRO Resource: checklist for engagement/retainer letter
Once you have decided that you are prepared to represent a client in a particular matter, you are ready to begin building a relationship with that client. Even if you already have a relationship with the client, but are taking on a new case, it is essential that you communicate with him or her to… Read More »
Categories: Communication ErrorsParadoxically, pessimism leads to happiness
Can pessimism lead to happiness? Conventional wisdom says no: “Research shows that an optimistic outlook is good for your mental health,” said Patricia Spataro, director of the New York State Lawyer Assistance Program, a resource for attorneys with mental health concerns. “But lawyers are trained to always look for the worst-case scenario. They benefit more… Read More »
Categories: Risk Management Strategies, Career Management, Wellness and Balance, Law Practice ManagementCommunications breakdown: When a lawyer doesn’t listen
In 2014 the broad category of communications accounted for about almost a third of claims reported and claims costs. We asked some lawyers to give their opinions on the various ways lawyer-client communications can break down, such as when lawyers fail to listen. A study for the Law Society of England and Wales by Hilary… Read More »
Categories: Communication Errors