Articles
Emotional contagion and the civil lawyer
Charles Dickens’ 1853 novel Bleak House begins with an account of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, an endless legal case mired in the “mud and fog” of the English Chancery courts. As told by Dickens, Jarndyce was “about a will and the trusts under a will—or it was once. It’s about nothing but costs now…” The goals… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Communications ErrorsManaging a better professional services firm
Managing a better professional services firm requires that you excel at providing superlative client service. Good technical skills and quality legal advice met the grade in the past but times have changed. The legal services marketplace is now more competitive than ever, and the competitors are not just other lawyers. Clients have become more demanding… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Communications Errors, Firm ManagementLaw firm Q&A with marketing professionals
Guest speakers Mark Hunter, Principal Consultant with Glen Maple Group and Mara Da Camara, presented a succinct overview of the steps law firms can take to improve their marketing activities as part of LAWPRO’s What They Didn’t Teach You In Law School: Marketing, Management, and Mentorship online seminar. Their presentation demonstrated the key to marketing… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, MarketingNavigating NOSIs and PPSA: A practical approach for real estate lawyers
An expired or deemed expired Notice of Security Interest (NOSI) does not affect title; however, the underlying contractual and financial obligations remain outstanding and must be addressed by payout or assumption. Read below for tips on avoiding unsatisfied clients and finding information about claims a secured party may have against goods and fixtures registered against… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Real EstateAsk again and you’ll learn more: A tale about using artificial intelligence
We’ve all heard the buzz about generative AI: a clever tool that can draft contracts, summarize long documents, draft replies to emails, and even answer niche questions about practice areas. But with great power comes cautionary tales. Let me walk you through a curious (and cautionary) experience I had with AI. Spoiler alert: the truth… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Legal TechnologyEstablish your legal community
Whether you are a new lawyer braving your first contract review or a seasoned practitioner handling a complex file, having mentors and knowledgeable colleagues is invaluable. Equally, the opportunity to mentor others enriches your practice and the profession at large. Here’s a guide to building your professional network and paying it forward. Learn from those… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, MentoringThe hidden risks of acting for family and friends: Protecting your mental health and relationships
At some point in their career, nearly every lawyer will be approached by a friend or family member seeking legal advice. The instinct to help comes naturally, but when viewed from a mental health perspective, the risks involved require thoughtful consideration before proceeding. Mental health risks Acting for family or friends introduces challenges that can… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Wellness, WellnessSix ways to protect your client’s property title
Identifying title risks, advising clients, and diligently documenting steps can save clients and lawyers from costly claims. Despite best efforts, issues may arise, and title insurance offers some protection for both clients and lawyers. Understanding the nuances of title insurance policies, including their coverage, exclusions, and how they interact with legal due diligence, is vital…. Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Real Estate, Title insurance, TitlePLUSToo quick on the buzzer: Default judgment and the potential consequences of engaging in sharp practice
Would-be lawyers learn the importance of professionalism and civility as outlined in the Law Society’s Rules of Professional Conduct and The Advocates’ Society Principles of Civility. However, in practice, a grey area can sometimes develop between fiercely advocating for a client and engaging in sharp practice. At LAWPRO, we’ve seen many claims relating to lawyers… Read More »
Categories: 2025 Feb - Emotional Contagion, Articles, Civil LitigationQuestions and answers about the changing practice of wills & estates law
The number of seniors aged 75 and over in Ontario is projected to double by 2046 to 2.6 million from 1.3 million in 2023, suggesting an unprecedented impending wealth transfer in the province. Wills and estates law is already growing and will be even more in-demand in the years to come. We want to give… Read More »
Categories: 2024 June - Time for Tomorrow, Articles, Wills & Estates