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Conflicts of Interest

Tips for Successfully Building Access to Justice into your Law Practice (2021)

This program was part of Access to Justice Week 2021. Join LAWPRO, The Action Group on Access to Justice (TAG) and Toronto Lawyers Association to explore how legal professionals can structure their practices to better facilitate access to justice. Participants will hear from a panel of legal professionals from across the province and various areas… Read More »

Categories: Access to Justice, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, CPD, Firm Management

Staying Out of the Conflict Zone – Recognizing and Reacting to Conflicts of Interest in Real Estate Transactions

During the course of a real estate retainer, it can be easy for a lawyer to lose sight of what constitutes a conflict of interest, as well as what one should do to avoid its pitfalls and consequences. Simply stated, a conflict of interest arises when the lawyer’s duties to a client are compromised by… Read More »

Categories: Conflicts of Interest, Real Estate, TitlePLUS, Webzine

After 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, Topics

Managing the Practice of Investing in Clients

The practice of lawyers investing in clients’ businesses is current and growing. Past experience with this type of activity (which includes taking equity positions in the form of shares of stock) has taught us that this practice raises significant issues which need to be managed. This booklet (Download PDF) will explain the issues you should… Read More »

Categories: Conflicts of Interest, Ethics, Finances, Managing Booklets

Managing Conflict of Interest Situations

Conflicts of interest can be potential or actual, obvious or hidden, anticipated or unexpected, direct or imputed. Conflicts of interest can surface before the lawyer is retained or sometime during the retainer. This booklet (Download PDF) will show how to better manage this risk by identifying, checking for and managing conflict of interest situations.

Categories: Conflicts of Interest, Managing Booklets

How unhealthy lawyers affect client service

man holding head

Almost all lawyers experience stress, but unless it becomes toxic, there is little risk to the client. Occasionally things get truly out of control. That’s when important deadlines are missed, communication with the client diminishes (or ends), and files languish. In extreme cases, the lawyer ‘pretends’ to practice by misrepresenting to the client that work… Read More »

Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, Firm Management, Inadequate Investigation, Time Management, Wellness, Wellness

Consider threshold questions before accepting joint retainers in wills

pen and document

Joint retainers are common in wills practice. Wills and estates lawyers are often asked to prepare mirror or mutual wills for two spouses. While the lawyer is typically assured by the couple that they are in agreement about the proposed estate plan, lawyers should be careful when relying on these assurances, because over the past… Read More »

Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, Content Type, Inadequate Investigation, Retainers, Wills & Estates

A checklist for avoiding conflicts on lateral lawyer transfers

stick man with briefcase

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 »

Categories: 2012 January Employment, Articles, Conflicts of Interest, Practice Tips

Land Acknowledgement

The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.

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