Topics
LAWPRO repairs in 2015: Resuscitating dismissed actions
In the past few years, LAWPRO’s claims repair program has been increasingly occupied with the work of attempting to restore actions to the trial list. Rule 48, which permits the administrative dismissal of actions for delay, has been responsible for over $10 million in claims costs over the past three years. LAWPRO in-house and defence… Read More »
Categories: 2016 May - Year in Review 2015, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Year in ReviewKnow your coverage limits
Knowing your limits may sound like sobering advice, but for lawyers in private practice, knowing the limits of your insurance coverage can help you manage risk. Limits per claim, and limits in the aggregate There are two general types of limits: per claim (the maximum amount payable for any one claim within a policy year)… Read More »
Categories: 2016 May - Year in Review 2015, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyJob market scoop: What do law firms look for?
Law students – like all students – are prone to anxiety about their career prospects. High-profile news about the employment challenges faced by new grads in the U.S. and changes in the articling requirements for Ontario have combined to create a climate of worry. But worrying about trends and generalizations can obscure the fact that… Read More »
Categories: 2016 Student Issue 4, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyer Issue, New LawyersLessons I learned while articling
In past issues of the student edition of LAWPRO Magazine, we’ve asked our articling students to reflect on what they wished they’d learned in law school. This time around, students Margaux Malkina and Noam Uri offered a slightly different perspective: they talked about some of the new insights that articling has brought them. Sometimes, there… Read More »
Categories: 2016 Student Issue 4, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, New LawyersResolve to get your law practice off to the best possible start
Professional liability claims can take the wind out of the sails of anyone’s legal career, but can be especially demoralizing for a new lawyer. Your best chance at avoiding claims is to develop great working habits right from the start. Here are some practice ‘resolutions’ that you may want to consider. Want more? Read the… Read More »
Categories: 2016 Student Issue 4, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersSample interview questions
Prepare in advance to increase your chances of a successful interview. How would you answer these questions? Background questions: Tell me a little about yourself. What made you decide on law school? What do you hope to get out of a legal career? What do you know about [our firm]? How do you think [our… Read More »
Categories: 2016 Student Issue 4, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersStudent to lawyer: 20 tips for a smooth transition
This is an abridged version of the LAWPRO article: “20 tips for a successful transition” – a guide for law students through the transition from student life to legal practice. See practicepro.ca/20newlawyertips for the full article. Honestly assess your strengths and preferences to identify what makes sense for you in terms of the type of… Read More »
Categories: 2016 Student Issue 4, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersCommon practice pitfalls: How to avoid them
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: 2016 Student Issue 4, Articles, Communications Errors, Failure to Know The Law, Inadequate Investigation, Law students/new lawyers, Limitation Periods, New Lawyers, Time Management