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Informed, documented plea instructions protect you from claims

by LAWPRO

judge gavel

Though the rate of malpractice claims flowing from criminal cases is lower than in other areas of law, the number of claims in this area is on the rise, and for many of the same reasons we see in other areas. The most frequent cause? Issues with lawyer-client communication. An area of particular vulnerability to… Read More »

Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Criminal Law, Inadequate Investigation, Malpractice Errors

Clear communication your best defence against allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel

by LAWPRO

A substantial proportion of professional liability claims against criminal defence counsel are based on allegations of “ineffective assistance”. The jurisprudence makes it clear that poor lawyer-client communication is at the root of many of these claims. Allegations of ineffective assistance are usually first tested in the context of the appeal of a conviction. Few of… Read More »

Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Criminal Law, Dabbling, Failure to Know The Law

Can a criminal conviction make your client inadmissible for residency/citizenship?

by LAWPRO

hands on jail bars

Where a client charged with a serious crime is a non-citizen of Canada and is hoping to obtain resident status, criminal lawyers should be aware that recent changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) raise special plea and sentencing considerations. The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act On June 19, 2013, amendments to… Read More »

Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Communications Errors, Content Type, Criminal Law, Failure to Know The Law

Job market scoop: What do law firms look for?

by LAWPRO

Consulting man sitting in chair

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: Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyers

Do you have what it takes to be a sole practitioner?

by LAWPRO

girl dressed as student and also lawyer

One-third of the more than 24,000 lawyers in private practice in Ontario are sole practitioners. as a solo, it’s great to have the freedom that comes with being your own boss, but you also have full responsibility for all aspects of the operation of your law practice. Do you have what it takes to be a… Read More »

Categories: Articles, Law students/new lawyers, New Lawyers, Solo and Small Firm

Resolve to get your practice off to the best possible start

by LAWPRO

sign that says Your Lawyer

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: Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Family, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyers, Real Estate, Wellness, Wills & Estates

What new lawyers need to know about LAWPRO’s mandatory professional liability insurance

by LAWPRO

lawpro logo

These FAQs answer some of the more common questions we hear from newly-called lawyers. The answers will help you determine if you need insurance coverage (or whether you’re exempt) and the steps you need to take to get your LawPRO insurance coverage in place. What is professional liability insurance? Professional liability insurance is designed to… Read More »

Categories: Articles, Errors & Omissions, Law students/new lawyers, LAWPRO policy, New Lawyers

Why I chose a career before law school (2014)

by LAWPRO

girl dressed as student and also lawyer

While many students take the LSAT and if accepted, go to law school after completing a first degree, some choose a different path. Many law students take a few years off in between, for several reasons, including making sure this is the career they want. Last year’s LawPRO articling students, along with one of LawPRO’s… Read More »

Categories: Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyer Issue, New Lawyers

The dangers of social networking and how to avoid them

by LAWPRO

Although social networking tools offer lawyers many interesting new ways to interact with people in both personal and work spheres, there are some risks associated with using them. Before you venture into social networking, consider Section 5.5 of the Law Society’s Practice Management Guideline on Technology (“Technology Guideline”). It states, “Lawyers should have a reasonable… Read More »

Categories: Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Technology, New Lawyers, Social Media

Non-disclosure of Pierringer agreement amounts – is there a “way out” for LAWPRO insureds?

by LAWPRO

pen and document

“Pierringer” agreements allow one or more defendants in a multi-defendant proceeding to settle with the plaintiff, leaving the remaining defendants responsible only for the loss they actually caused. In Sable Offshore Energy Inc. v. Ameron International Corp., 2013 SCC 37, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the financial terms of a Pierringer settlement need… Read More »

Categories: Areas of Law, Articles, Civil Litigation, Content Type

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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