Risk Management & Claims Prevention
When you do legal work involving foreign law or lawyers: Are you covered?
Lawyers and their clients are more mobile than ever before. With the Internet, easy international travel and a global economy, relationships and business transactions – and legal matters and disputes – frequently cross international borders. Handling matters that involve foreign law can increase the risk that you will face a malpractice claim, and can have… Read More »
Categories: LAWPRO Errors and Omissions Coverage, Risk Management StrategiesHow lawyers can help their clients become better communicators – and vice versa
Some solicitors may think that the responsibility for maintaining appropriate solicitor/client communications lies solely with them. It is true that solicitors who fail to adequately communicate with their clients risk losing those clients – or even facing a malpractice claim. But it is also true that clients have reciprocal obligations to disclose relevant facts, to… Read More »
Categories: Communication ErrorsReading the signs: Stepping in when a colleague needs help
As adults in the workplace, we usually strive to respect our coworkers’ privacy and autonomy. But it’s important to understand the difference between being nosy and being responsive. The taboos that accompany mental illness, substance abuse and interpersonal problems can make it difficult for workers to seek help when they need it. By reacting sensitively… Read More »
Categories: Wellness and BalanceOntario firm narrowly avoids $500,000 email & phone hack attempt
An Ontario lawyer called to inform us of what appears to be an email hack attempt (similar to what is described here) against his firm and one of his clients, with the goal of diverting closing funds from a transaction into a different bank account. An email to the client appeared to come from this… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionManage client expectations to be safe on limited scope retainers
Helping clients reduce the costs of resolving family disputes has become a practical issue for many family lawyers. As a result, many family lawyers are offering to do work on a limited scope retainer or “unbundled” basis. This means doing part, but not all, of the work on a legal matter. This could include one… Read More »
Categories: Communication Errors, Family LawOpen a file for pro bono matters too
Pro bono work is something nearly every lawyer does occasionally. Here’s one practical tip for avoiding some pro bono pitfalls: open a file for every matter you handle. By “open a file”, we mean treat the work like you would any other work. Run a conflicts check; diarize deadlines; document the client’s instructions, your advice… Read More »
Categories: Communication ErrorsTake your health and well-being to the next level with your Member Assistance Program
Are you ready to take your health and well-being to the next level? Homewood Health’s Member Assistance Program now offers The 12 Weeks to Wellness Program : a comprehensive, self-directed approach to support behaviour changes and includes access to life coaching, nutritional counselling, and a confidential health risk assessment over a 12-week period. You can… Read More »
Categories: Wellness and BalanceAmendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct — Transactions with Clients
The following is from the Law Society of Upper Canada’s June 2016 e-Bulletin Resources for Lawyers. The Rules of Professional Conduct (the “Rules”) with respect to Doing Business with a Client (now called Transactions with Clients) were amended on May 26, 2016. New Definition The term “transaction with a client” is now defined in rule… Read More »
Categories: Communication Errors, Conflicts of Interest