Category: LAWPRO Magazine
10 tips to better manage your inbox
The LAWPRO Magazine article The day-to-day stresses and challenges of being a lawyer discusses how technology contributes to today’s frantic pace of practice. And if there is one technology that adds to the stress of a harried lawyer’s day, it’s their email inbox. Clearing out emails often feels like Hercules cleaning out the Augean stables…. Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Legal Technology, Tech TipsDon’t slip down that slope! Don’t let personal issues lead you to bend the rules
At least two of the Law Society of Upper Canada’s discipline decisions in the last few months referenced a lawyer’s “loss of moral compass.” Even honest and well-intentioned lawyers have, when under pressure or when suffering from illness, addiction or a personal crisis, succumbed to the belief that it’s perfectly fine to bend the rules… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Could This Happen to You?, Ethics, Fraud, WellnessAccess to justice: Limited scope representation
Increasingly, legal services are moving away from the full-service model. Outsourcing document review, e-discovery, and other discrete legal services are becoming more common-place. Small practitioners and larger firms alike can offer limited scope representation, or “unbundled” representation, which let clients pick and choose when they want to engage with a lawyer during the life of… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Access to Justice, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Limited scope retainer/unbundling, Practice TipsBook reviews: Two books for better health
The practicePRO Lending Library has two great books on wellness issues that you can borrow. If you are looking for help in finding more balance in your life, The Lawyer’s Guide to Balancing Life and Work, by George W. Kaufman, is just for you. Kaufman, who was a successful and seasoned partner for 40 years… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Legal Careers, Wellness, Wellness2016: Base premium holds steady; REPCO reduced
Insurance program enters third decade on strong, positive footing Quick summary: base premium for 2016: $3,350 (unchanged since 2011) Real Estate Practice Coverage Option (REPCO) $100 for 2016 (down from $250) Run-off coverage now stands behind mentoring efforts of exempt lawyers LAWPRO coverage for paralegal shareholders in combined licensee (incorporated) firms Base premium stable The… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & OmissionsREPCO reduction reflects commitment to risk-rating
Real estate and civil litigation continue to be the areas of practice with the highest claims, both in terms of count and cost. However, real estate claims based on the registration of fraudulent instruments under the Land Titles Act where the claim would otherwise be excluded from coverage due to the dishonesty of the insured… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Real EstateGet proof of coverage with a click of your mouse
Have you been asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance to a client, a law society, or anyone else? You can now request and print an individual or a firm-wide Certificate of Insurance via the My LAWPRO online portal. While in many cases the Declarations Page of your insurance coverage confirmation will suffice as proof… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyStop. Look. Listen.
The phrase, “Stop. Look. Listen.” was a slogan used to help people remember to stay alert while crossing railroad tracks before the invention of mechanical gates and flashing lights. It’s also a great way to remind oneself to be both prudent and responsive. Listening is a key skill for any professional and one we take… Read More »
Categories: 2015 May - Review of 2014, Articles, Editorials2014 financial results explained
Net premiums: $114.9 million Net LAWPRO revenues in 2014 were $114.9 million, almost exactly as budgeted. Premiums from the mandatory insurance program were $8.4 million higher than in 2013. Net claims: $99.6 million Incurred claims and adjustment expenses for 2014 increased by $2.9 million compared to 2013. However, they were lower than the $105.3 million… Read More »
Categories: 2015 May - Review of 2014, Articles, Year in Review2014 claims report
Currently projected claims costs for 2014 hover around $109 million with subtle shifts seen in cause of loss. Claims report As details of the claims picture for 2014 come into focus, it appears that claims costs (including internal claims handling expenses) are on trend around the $109 million mark. The rate of claims per 1,000… Read More »
Categories: 2015 May - Review of 2014, Articles, Year in Review