Communications Errors
Common practice pitfalls: And how to avoid them
Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) was created to insure lawyers against legal malpractice claims. Most claims are brought by a lawyer’s own client and include an allegation that the lawyer made a mistake or did not meet the standard of care expected of him or her when delivering legal services. No lawyer is immune to… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Communications Errors, Inadequate Investigation, Student, Student Issue, Time ManagementCommunicating like its 1876: The continuing importance of telephone skills for lawyers
When the Western Union Telegraph Co. famously declined to purchase the telephone patent from Alexander Graham Bell, it was allegedly because they wondered why anyone would want to use such a frivolous and impractical device when a clear and concise written message could just as easily be sent by telegraph. This assessment seems less absurd… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Features, Law students/new lawyers, Student IssueLandmines for Lawyers When Drafting Wills
When it comes to mistakes and claims, the Achilles heel for lawyers in the wills and estates area is drafting wills: Making will-drafting errors – either because of poor communication, inadequate discovery or errors in law – is the single most common issue in claims reported in this area of law. In many cases, the… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Communications Errors, Failure to Know The Law, Inadequate Investigation, Wills & EstatesAfter the event (ATE) insurance: what you need to know
After the event (ATE) insurance (a type of legal expense insurance) can help lessen the financial blow of a lost case for both the client and lawyer. Generally, the insurer will pay some amount of costs, fees, and/or disbursements if the client is unsuccessful. It is important to understand the specific policies and contracts involved… Read More »
Categories: Areas of Law, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, Malpractice Errors, TopicsCommon practice pitfalls and how to avoid them (2018 edition)
Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) was created to insure lawyers against legal malpractice claims. Most (though not all) claims are brought by a lawyer’s own client and include an allegation that the lawyer made a mistake or did not meet the standard of care expected of him or her when delivering legal services. No lawyer… Read More »
Categories: 2018 Student Issue 6, Alerts, Communications Errors, Content Type, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Malpractice Errors, Student, Time ManagementEnding well means starting right: The family law intake process
The most critical step in any family law case is when clients meet with prospective counsel. That meeting establishes the nature of the relationship, a preliminary game-plan, and each party’s expectations of the other. Most clients approach that inaugural meeting with considerable anxiety. Most have never dealt with a lawyer, and certainly not with respect… Read More »
Categories: 2018 February Top Legal Disruptions, Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Difficult clients, Family, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Malpractice Errors, Practice Tips, Retainers, TopicsNo conviction doesn’t mean no consequences: What are the implications of criminal investigation for your clients?
For a client charged with a criminal offence, the dismissal of charges (or acquittal at trial) can be a source of immense relief. For many accused, the elation of avoiding conviction can feel like a new beginning. As a criminal lawyer, it can be difficult to throw cold water on those feelings of elation. However,… Read More »
Categories: Communications Errors, Criminal LawReflections on technology changes in real estate practice
Facilitating transfers of real estate has been the bread-and-butter of thousands of Ontario lawyers for generations. Despite occasional market wobbles, real estate business has helped firms to flourish in communities of all sizes, often supporting the delivery of family, estates, commercial and even criminal law services. Healthy real estate practices support both lawyers’ own families… Read More »
Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Areas of Law, Articles, Clerical / Delegation, Communications Errors, Cyber dangers, Features, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Legal Technology, Real Estate, Time Management, TopicsLitigation claims on the rise
In recent years, the growth in civil litigation claims has outstripped the overall growth in claims. For example, from 2006 through 2010 LAWPRO received an average of 708 civil litigation claims each year, and during 2011 through 2015, the average increased to 948 each year. This growth of 34 per cent vastly exceeds the 7… Read More »
Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Areas of Law, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Content Type, Dabbling, Features, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Limitation Periods, Time ManagementThe mysterious magic of routines
As a child, did you step carefully over every sidewalk crack? Tap each post of the hockey net before settling into the crease? Wear your lucky socks to every law school exam? Even those of us who scorn superstition rely on routines and rituals for our own protection: we swallow a daily multivitamin, fasten our… Read More »
Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Practice Tips, Topics