Category: LAWPRO Magazine
Too 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 LitigationYour 2025 program: More options means a policy tailored to you
Updated renewal process for 2025 Your LAWPRO insurance will not automatically renew for 2025 but our aim for the new “simplified renewal” process is to gather the necessary underwriting details and keep it as fast and efficient as possible. To start, log in to your MyLAWPRO account and follow the renewal instructions. Why is there… Read More »
Categories: 2024 Insurance Isssue 2025What should I do to avoid social engineering claims and prevent the associated sublimit?
1. Include written instructions in a retainer or other agreement for the receipt, release, and transfer of any funds or assets. 2. Advise in the written retainer or other agreement that the client or another party to which you owe a duty of care should not ordinarily expect to receive any revised instructions from you… Read More »
Categories: 2024 Insurance Isssue 2025Lawyers in private practice, sole practitioners and lawyers in association or partnership in 2025
Standard insurance coverage The base program Eligibility: Required of all lawyers¹ providing services in private practice.² Coverage limit: $1 million per claim/$2 million in the aggregate (i.e., for all claims made in 2025), applicable to claim expenses and/or indemnity payments (some exceptions apply).3 Standard deductible: $5,000 per claim, applicable to claim expenses and/or indemnity payments… Read More »
Categories: 2024 Insurance Isssue 20252025 insurance coverage for exempt lawyers
in-house corporate counsel government lawyers, educators and others not in active private practice retired lawyers, estate trustees, emeritus lawyers, judges and others no longer practising law legal aid clinic lawyers (not directly employed by Legal Aid Ontario) lawyers who engage in only occasional practice in Ontario and are resident in a Canadian jurisdiction other than… Read More »
Categories: 2024 Insurance Isssue 2025Questions 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 & EstatesWhy have claims from inadequate investigation risen almost 300% since 1998?
The devil is in the details, and it’s the details that appear to be creating issues for lawyers when it comes to the underlying causes of many claims. Back in 1998, “inadequate discovery of fact or inadequate investigation” was the fifth most common cause of a claim (178 claims or 9%) when we looked at… Read More »
Categories: 2024 June - Time for Tomorrow, Articles, Inadequate InvestigationRetirement, succession, and planning for the unplanned exit
Running your own law firm or sole practice can be stressful, but stopping can be even harder. Thinking of stepping away from your practice can create an overwhelming tide of questions and unknowns. It becomes even more complicated when lawyers consider they may not be able to choose the timing of their own departure. A… Read More »
Categories: 2024 June - Time for Tomorrow, Articles, Firm Management, Succession PlanningFacing stress with mindfulness and being in the moment
Whether it’s a big move across the county, receiving an unexpected medical diagnosis, being awarded a promotion at the firm or something else – it’s likely you’ve faced moments of substantial change in your life. When these changes occur, regardless of if they’re planned or a surprise, they can lead us to feel stressed, overwhelmed,… Read More »
Categories: 2024 June - Time for Tomorrow, Articles, WellnessThe case of the delayed will
In the legal profession, time management is a critical component of risk management. Effectively managing time, from handling daily tasks to progressing case files, can greatly impact the quality of legal services provided. Yet, achieving effective time management is often easier said than done, given the pressures of a packed schedule, unexpectedurgent matters, and the… Read More »
Categories: 2024 June - Time for Tomorrow, Articles, Time Management, Wills & Estates