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LAWPRO Magazine: 2013 September practicePRO 15th
In This Issue of LAWPRO Magazine
The practicePRO program: looking back on what has and hasn’t changed in the first 15 years
In 1997, LPIC, as LAWPRO was then known, was in its second year of operating the primary professional liability program for the Ontario bar. At that time, LPIC was working hard to build confidence in a new insurance program (and itself as the new insurer of the program) in the wake of the E&O fund… Read More »
The evolving face of risk management – practicePRO: The next 15 years
Dan Pinnington joined LAWPRO in January of 2001 as director of the practicePRO program. Over the last 13 years he worked to expand the offerings and reach of this critical undertaking. It has become an internationally recognized risk management and claims prevention initiative. In this interview, Dan reflects on how risks and risk management have… Read More »
Could this happen to you? Getting duped on a bad cheque scam
In our newest effort to help Ontario lawyers appreciate where claims happen – and how to avoid them – we are pleased to introduce a new column to LAWPRO Magazine: “Could this happen to you?” Lawyers have told us they like to hear about real scenarios and circumstances that resulted in malpractice claims. They say… Read More »
The future of law: The challenges and opportunities of practising law in a global village
On the 15th anniversary of the practicePRO® program, LAWPRO® asked Dan Pinnington, vice president, claims prevention and stakeholder relations, to give us his personal views on the future of legal practice. This is a topic Dan monitors constantly: One of his main tasks for many years has been to predict where the Ontario bar is… Read More »
Happy birthday, practicePRO
“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”: LAWPRO’s practicePRO program has proven for the last 15 years that if you make the “drink” relevant, practical and timely, many will take at least a sip and some will gulp it down. The introduction of the practicePRO program as a risk… Read More »
What does your malpractice policy cover? Individual lawyers or the law firm?
Have you ever wondered why LAWPRO’s policy for the Law Society of Upper Canada insurance program (the “primary policy”) insures lawyers on an individual basis while excess insurance is issued on a firm-wide basis? Most Ontario lawyers have probably never considered this question. And while it may seem to be a rather subtle distinction, the… Read More »
Excess insurance offers peace of mind to lawyers and law firms
Would your exposure on a negligence claim be over the individual lawyer’s $1 million per claim or $2 million in the aggregate limits offered under the LAWPRO policy for the Law Society of Upper Canada program (the “primary policy”)? Excess insurance – insurance that covers you for claims after the limits under the primary policy… Read More »
Making the application process easier and quicker: Streamlined TitlePLUS underwriting for many residential properties over $1 million
Constantly looking for ways to improve processes, we are pleased to provide an easier application process for some residential properties in Ontario over the $1 million mark. Our standard automated underwriting now applies to the following types of properties (for purchase, mortgage-only and OwnerEXPRESS policies): New and resale condominiums, up to $2 million; New homes… Read More »
The TitlePLUS conundrum: Can you help?
“Everything we do supports lawyers” – that’s the tag line on a brochure that the TitlePLUS program released several years ago. While owned and underwritten by LAWPRO, the TitlePLUS initiative was designed by members of the Ontario real estate bar and intended to have a symbiotic relationship with the bar. By providing an excellent scope… Read More »
Mental illness and lawyers: Moving from stigma to solutions
Legal professionals struggling with mental illness often do so in silence – especially in the workplace. They fear the loss of their jobs, their professional reputations or even their licences. As a result, they don’t seek the help they need – often, with catastrophic results. In 2011, mental illness cost Canadian business six billion dollars… Read More »
Our social media platforms through the ages
In continuing with the 15th anniversary theme, we decided to take a look back on how far LAWPRO and practicePRO have come in participating in the social media world. The AvoidAClaim blog has been providing lawyers with current information and tips on avoiding malpractice claims since 2009. One of the most popular features of the… Read More »
The practicePRO program: Looking back on what has and hasn’t changed in the first 15 years
In 1997, LPIC, as LAWPRO was then known, was in its second year of operating the primary professional liability program for the Ontario bar. At that time, LPIC was working hard to build confidence in a new insurance program (and itself as the new insurer of the program) in the wake of the E&O fund… Read More »
Know how administrative dismissal claims happen, and take 8 steps to immunize yourself against them
Rule 48 claims arise when it is alleged that the dismissal of a claim was due to the lawyer’s negligence with respect to either a defended (Rule 48.14) or an undefended (48.15) action. Many of these claims have been very costly for LAWPRO. While certain Rule 48 claims can be repaired by speaking with opposing… Read More »
15 tips for preventing identity theft and online fraud
Cyber criminals and identity thieves want to steal your personal information to commit fraud. They may try to get a credit card in your name or to access funds in your bank account. On top of directly losing money, your credit status can be damaged and it can take a great deal of time and… Read More »
Steer clear of real estate claims by asking these five questions on every deal
The real estate lawyer’s job is more than just conveying title, and not every matter will be straightforward. Communication errors and inadequate investigation are the biggest causes of real estate claims at LAWPRO, respectively 41 per cent and 26 per cent of claims reported between 2001 and 2011. Busy, high-volume practices often lead to situations… Read More »
Book reviews: iPad for Litigators and Google Gmail and Calendar in One Hour for Lawyers
The practicePRO Lending Library continues to grow with the addition of two new books: iPad for Litigators, and Google Gmail and Calendar in One Hour for Lawyers. iPad for Litigators Lawyers have quickly learned that their new iPads are for more than just entertainment. Many have seen how they can be utilized in their law… Read More »