Articles
Remarks of the Chair and the President & CEO
Remarks of the Chair, Andrew J. Spurgeon As the Chair of LAWPRO’s Board of Directors I am proud of the company’s unflagging determination to support Ontario lawyers and protect the public they serve. LAWPRO has and continues to successfully navigate the many changes and challenges visited upon it as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic…. Read More »
Categories: April 2022 - Annual Report 2021, ArticlesSolid performance despite ongoing challenges
COVID-19 and its wide-spread impact continued to force LAWPRO to adapt the Primary Program in 2021. Changes were made to improve the customer experience, strengthen LAWPRO’s capital position, and streamline processes for greater operational efficiency. In 2021, Ontario began a slow recovery which translated into more work for many lawyers. M&A activity was up, the… Read More »
Categories: April 2022 - Annual Report 2021, Articles, Year in ReviewLAWPRO successfully repairs in 2021
When LAWPRO is quickly alerted to potential claims, we are often able to rectify the problem and prevent loss and further lawsuits from arising. Our counsel know how to best address issues such as alleged failure to immediately disclose settlement agreements, disputes over jurisdiction to extend limitation periods, setting aside dismissal orders, and rectification of… Read More »
Categories: April 2022 - Annual Report 2021, Articles, Year in ReviewDefending lawyers in court in 2021
Despite any attempts to resolve claims without litigation, sometimes court is inevitable. Every year, LAWPRO steps in to defend licensees from unwarranted lawsuits and accusations. Here are a few examples of defences successfully advanced by LAWPRO in 2021 on behalf of insureds. Construction liens and insolvency proceedings – Limitation period defences There are various reasons… Read More »
Categories: April 2022 - Annual Report 2021, Articles, Year in ReviewpracticePRO: Outreach that overcame isolation
2021 was a banner year for LAWPRO outreach and CPD programs. LAWPRO engaged in approximately 110 presentations – setting a new record and increasing outreach efforts to solo and small firms and to foreign trained lawyers. Outreach efforts reached lawyers, law clerks and law students. LAWPRO’s practicePRO program is the well known risk management, claims… Read More »
Categories: April 2022 - Annual Report 2021, ArticlesTitlePLUS: From a simple mission to a great innovation
TitlePLUS may have evolved into a full-service, streamlined online title insurance offering, but some things haven’t changed, says Daniel Pinnington, president and CEO of LAWPRO. “On top of offering the same unparalleled coverage as always, our mission and our purpose remain the same,” says Pinnington. “TitlePLUS is built for lawyers, and our commitment to keeping… Read More »
Categories: April 2022 - Annual Report 2021, Articles, Real Estate, Title insurance, TitlePLUSHot real estate market? Excess coverage protects your practice as property values soar
Current market conditions mean business is booming for lawyers, but keep in mind that your risk exposure may be growing in lockstep with property values. A hot market changes the way real estate deals unfold. Not only do lawyers see a higher transaction volume, but unconditional offers proliferate, and closing intervals may shrink. All these… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Excess insurance, Real EstateThe Top 10 Changes to the Planning Act You Need to Know About and Why
The anachronistic provisions of the Ontario Planning Act (the “Act”) and the red tape they created have frustrated lawyers and property owners for many years. The government has listened, and after consultations with many stakeholders over the last two years, long overdue changes are finally here and will be in place (subject to proclamation) starting… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Real EstatePersistence and Precision Bring Long Needed Changes to the Planning Act
Comments from Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey As Attorney General I have made it my business to jump start and accelerate access to Ontario’s outdated justice system. The work to move the system forward by decades in mere months began before the COVID-19 pandemic, and by working in new ways with our partners we have… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Real EstateTaking the gloom out of zoom: Ten teleconferencing tips
It turns out, the class we all needed was “Lawyering by Zoom 101”. It’s clear that remote meetings and videoconferencing are now a permanent part of the legal profession. But while online meetings bring benefits and convenience, they can also bring confusion and frustration. We’ve summarized ten teleconferencing tips to help you be the best… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Student Issue