Content Type
Job 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: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersDo you have what it takes to be a sole practitioner?
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: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, New Lawyers, Solo and Small FirmWhat I wish I knew in law school (2014)
The first instalment of “What I wish I knew in law school”, an article by LAWPRO’s articling students and newest hires, was one of the most popular features in the inaugural student issue of LAWPRO Magazine. We decided a sequel was in order, so we asked our former articling students, Maurizio Artale and Andria Cramer,… Read More »
Categories: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersResolve to get your 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: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Family, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyers, Real Estate, Wellness, Wills & EstatesWhat new lawyers need to know about LAWPRO’s mandatory professional liability insurance
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: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Errors & Omissions, Law students/new lawyers, LAWPRO policy, New LawyersWhy I chose a career before law school (2014)
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: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyer Issue, New LawyersThe dangers of social networking and how to avoid them
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: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Technology, New Lawyers, Social MediaNon-disclosure of Pierringer agreement amounts – is there a “way out” for LAWPRO insureds?
“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 TypeConsider threshold questions before accepting joint retainers in wills
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