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LAWPRO Magazine: 2012 January Employment
In This Issue of LAWPRO Magazine
Recruiting and retaining top talent
Attracting the best possible lateral associates is critical to a law firm’s ability to maintain its competitive edge, financial leverage, internal succession and future success when candidates approach our firm about a lateral move, they all tend to ask a variation of the following questions: which firm is the best for me? Which will make… Read More »
Is this the job you want? How to find the right fit – and then sell yourself in the interview
On the face of it, interviewing should not be all that difficult – particularly for lawyers. As members of a profession who primarily make their living either writing or speaking, the idea that having a conversation about your interests and abilities in your own profession sounds both logical and easy. But throw the words “job… Read More »
A checklist for avoiding conflicts on lateral lawyer transfers
Lateral hiring of partners or associates occurs at firms of every size, and is becoming far more common. In addition to reviewing the transferring lawyer’s credentials and suitability, the transferring lawyer and firm will need to identify and deal with potential conflicts of interest that may arise with respect to clients at the transferring lawyer’s… Read More »
Insurance implications of lawyer transfers & practice structures
Lawyer mobility is now taken for granted: The days of spending one’s whole career in a single practice setting are long gone. Consider these scenarios: Scenario one: A lawyer previously in practice elsewhere joins a new firm. A claim is made based on work completed at the previous firm, but received only after the lawyer… Read More »
Unbundled legal services: Pitfalls to avoid
At its September 2011 meeting, Convocation approved amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct to give guidance to lawyers who provide legal services under limited scope retainers, also called “unbundled” legal services. LawPRO is concerned that the more widespread provision of unbundled legal services in Ontario will increase malpractice claims. this article will help you… Read More »
MCT + IFRS: More than the sum of its parts
In the post-Enron/post-Lehman world, the framework within which financial institutions and insurance companies (including LawPRO) operate is increasingly regulated and prescribed – perhaps more so than in most industries. Knowing, understanding and complying with this steady stream of consultation, regulation and compliance regimes of course creates extra work, requires additional infrastructure (at a cost) and… Read More »
Unbundling and family law
The Law society of Upper Canada recently released its protocols on “unbundling” legal services. Webb v. Birkett is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbundling in the context of collaborative family law. Marguerite Webb retained Lucille Birkett, an experienced collaborative family law (CFL) lawyer, to represent her in her divorce proceeding. The plaintiff indicated… Read More »
Self-represented claimants and vexatious litigants
It is common knowledge that the number of self-represented litigants has increased sharply. LawPRO records show that it has received 964 claims by self-represented litigants, 90 per cent of which have been made since 2000. LawPRO has incurred close to $30 million in claims costs, which include both claims payments and defence costs. Some self-represented… Read More »
Tendering correctly: Preserve your client’s rights (and avoid a claim!)
Tendering, in real estate practice, is a strategy real estate lawyers can use to demonstrate a client’s willingness and readiness to close a transaction in circumstances where there may be doubts about the other party’s ability or willingness to close on time. done properly, tendering can help to preserve a client’s rights in the event… Read More »
Essential do’s and don’ts for LinkedIn Users
With more than 120 million users in more than 200 countries (including at least a million lawyers) and web traffic that ranks it as the 13th most visited site on the planet, LinkedIn is the social networking tool of choice for professionals. It is far more than a glorified way for job hunters to put… Read More »
Book review: Three titles on recruiting and keeping lawyers and partner departures
The practicePRO Lending Library has more than 100 practice management titles available to Ontario lawyers free of charge. Here are three titles that make for great additional reading for the topics covered in this issue of LAWPRO Magazine. Recruiting Lawyers: How to Hire the Best Talent Recruiting Lawyers: How to Hire the Best Talent by… Read More »
Resources to help you find your footing
LawPRO has learned through experience that the pressures that lawyers face in their jobs, and the related mental, emotional or physical problems, often lead to claims. the claim against the lawyer may be for “procrastination” or “poor communication,” but looking deeper we sometimes find lawyers overwhelmed by the stress of their jobs who have succumbed… Read More »