With 2018 drawing to a close, it’s time to reflect and prepare for what will hopefully be another successful year in the practice of law. Resolve to keep your practice-management skills sharpened and your knowledge up-to-date with our always-growing collection of practicePRO resources and informative articles.

In 2019, LAWPRO will continue to monitor new developments that may lead to claims, such as the ongoing appeal in the recent Milne Estate (Re) decision, which was heard on December 11th and is of great interest to the Wills and Estates bar. We hope to receive a decision in that appeal early in the new year, and will update Ontario lawyers accordingly.

To prepare you and your practice for 2019, we’ve provided a helpful countdown of the top four things we want you to know to start the year off right.

#4: The 15-year limitation period is coming to town: As of January 3, 2019, potential actions arising from acts or omissions that occurred prior to 2004 will be statute barred.

#3: New cyber threats and spear phishing techniques: Avoiding cyber threats requires vigilance and staying up-to-date on the ways lawyers continue to be targeted.

#2: New PIPEDA data breach reporting requirements: Make a list and check it twice. As of November 1st, new data breach recording and reporting requirements under PIPEDA are now in force.

#1: Welcomes, changes, and goodbyes at LAWPRO

Should auld acquaintance be forgot…

With a new year comes changes to LAWPRO, and we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the important updates to our team.

First, we wish a fond farewell to our Executive Vice President, Duncan Gosnell, who will be retiring at the beginning of 2019. Duncan has been with LAWPRO since the very beginning. His long tenure of over 23 years has been integral to establishing LAWPRO’s Excess Insurance program, and his knowledge has been an important part of LAWPRO’s growth and success.

We are also very pleased to announce the following organizational changes to our Executive Team and Board of Directors:

Mark Tamminga has joined LAWPRO’s Board of Directors and will serve on the Risk Committee. Mark is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Hamilton office and practises in real estate law and recovery services.

Domenic Bellacicco has been promoted to Vice President, Claims, previously serving in leadership roles with LAWPRO as Senior Claims Counsel and Unit Director & Counsel after joining LAWPRO in 2004.

Victoria Crewe-Nelson has been promoted to Vice President, Underwriting and Customer Service as well as Secretary to the Board of Directors. She joined LAWPRO as Assistant Vice President, Underwriting in 2012.

Stephen Freedman has been appointed Executive Vice President, in addition to his previous position as General Counsel. Stephen has been with LAWPRO since 2001 and previously served in leadership roles as Legal Counsel, TitlePLUS and Director, Compliance Risk & Chief Privacy Officer.

Our success as an innovative provider of insurance and services has always been predicated on our stellar team of passionate individuals. We thank all the current and previous members of the LAWPRO team for their contributions to the company, and we wish everyone a happy new year.

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