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Practice Tips

Don’t get duped: 20 red flags of bad cheque fraud you should recognize

Lawyers in all areas of practice continue to be the frequent targets of bad cheque scams. These scams involve debt collections, business loans, IP licensing disputes or spousal support payments. While it appears Ontario lawyers are increasingly aware of these frauds, occasionally some are being duped into disbursing funds on a bad cheque they have… Read More »

Categories: 2015 February - LAWPRO 20th, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Practice Tips

Manage malpractice risk by recognizing cultural diversity

In the social realm, cultural differences can be awkward for those on both sides; but in the context of legal services, cross-cultural misunderstandings and other culture-related factors can occasionally lead to malpractice claims against lawyers. The good news: claims with a cultural component are easily preventable as they tend to reflect certain recurring themes. One… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Criminal Law, Diversity, Practice Tips, Real Estate

Subdivision control under the Planning Act: What do you need to know?

hand holding house keys

This is a shortened version of an article that appeared on August 1, 2014 in the TitlePLUS Today newsletter. See the full version at practicepro.ca/subdivision-control The subdivision and part lot control provisions of section 50 of the Planning Act are lengthy and complex. It can be difficult to sort out the parts that apply to… Read More »

Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Practice Tips, Real Estate

Teraview tip: Is searching by municipal address getting you the right property?

question mark over houses

Do you search by municipal address when using Teraview software? LAWPRO defence counsel have reported seeing construction liens filed on the wrong property where lawyers solely relied on municipal addresses. Note that Teraview presents you with an onscreen caution that “Addresses are approximate.” It is the legal description that determines which property is being impacted…. Read More »

Categories: 2014 June - Year in Review 2013, Articles, Practice Tips, Real Estate

Draw clients a roadmap to avoid communication claims

Our readers should now be well aware that problems with lawyer-client communication are the number one cause of malpractice claims. Managing communication takes patience and effort: at one extreme of the spectrum, responding to calls and messages from clients who want constant contact can be frustrating; while at the other end, trying to get absentee… Read More »

Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Communications Errors, Practice Tips

Avoiding the unintentional expansion of retainers

Consulting man sitting in chair

Here’s the scenario: A lawyer is retained to assist a client with a tort claim and an accident benefits claim. The client, meanwhile, has been informed that the long-term disability (LTD) benefits provided by her employer’s group plan are about to be terminated. In an effort to forestall the termination of benefits, she asks the… Read More »

Categories: 2013 May - Year in Review 2012, Articles, Communications Errors, Practice Tips

New Year’s resolutions for a healthier law practice and a new you

computer monitor with sticky notes of new years resolutions

The start of a new year is a time for self-reflection and self-improvement. Many of you will think about making changes in your personal and work lives. But while you all have good intentions, it can be difficult to break old habits, especially when you are running hard on the treadmill of a busy life… Read More »

Categories: 2012 December Resolutions, Articles, Civil Litigation, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Family, Features, Finances, Legal Technology, Marketing, Practice Tips, Real Estate, Time Management, Wellness, Wills & Estates

Avoiding communication-based claims: some tips for litigators

Claims against litigation lawyers often involve allegations of communication errors. In this article, we consider steps that lawyers can take to avoid such claims right out of the gate – at the outset of their retainers. When we attribute a claim to a communication problem, what exactly do we mean? Here are some examples: a)… Read More »

Categories: 2012 December Resolutions, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Practice Tips

Land Acknowledgement

The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.

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