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2017 coverage for exempt lawyers
in-house corporate counsel government lawyers, educators and others not in active private practice retired lawyers, estate trustees, emeritus lawyers, judges and others no longer practising law legal aid clinic lawyers (not directly employed by Legal Aid Ontario) lawyers who engage in only occasional practice in Ontario and are resident in a Canadian jurisdiction other than… Read More »
Categories: 2016 October - Insurance Issue 2017, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyOn parental leave from your private practice? Relax, you’re covered
Lawyers about to become parents sometimes ask about their coverage while on parental leave. The answer is simple: if a lawyer was in private practice before taking the leave and was covered under the Program policy, and then suspends private practice for “family (or illness) reasons” (with intention to return) for up to five years,… Read More »
Categories: 2016 October - Insurance Issue 2017, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyWhat’s my coverage when working pro bono?
In Ontario there is a pressing need for legal services that can be accessed by low-income and disadvantaged persons. Many lawyers are stepping up and trying to address this gap through free services, discounted fees, or providing legal education to members of the public. Whenever legal services are being provided to the public, however, it… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Features, LAWPRO policy, Pro bonoSo you want to start an A2J initiative? Here’s what you need to know about insurance
Lawyers and others in Ontario continue to conceive and champion initiatives aimed at bringing justice into the public’s reach. LawPRO is committed to supporting that innovation, and is eager to participate in the A2J conversation. This article outlines our perspective. Why an insurance perspective? Crucial for many A2J initiatives is finding lawyers who want to… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Features, LAWPRO policyArtificial intelligence and the “self-driving” lawyer
We all look forward to the day when we can jump in a vehicle that will drive itself to our desired destination. And while self-driving vehicles have been in our imaginations for many decades, vehicles from Tesla and others with driving-assistance technology suggest fully autonomous self-driving cars will be a reality in the not too… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Articles, Features, Future of law, Legal TechnologyLimited scope representation: With the right safeguards, possibilities abound
A self-represented family law litigant anxiously prepares for a hearing, which can resolve months, if not years, of anxiety, and determine the litigant’s financial and family affairs in the near future. Retaining a lawyer from cradle to grave is out of budget for this litigant. What to do? Relief is around the corner – a… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Family, Features, Inadequate Investigation, Limited scope retainer/unbundlingAlternative fee arrangements in litigation
In recent years more focus has turned to alternative fee arrangements as a way to offer clients more predictable costs and affordable legal services. Hughes Amys LLP, based out of Hamilton and Toronto, offers alternative fee arrangements which have proven successful for them. Here is a look at how they’ve done it. “We’ve been doing… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Articles, Civil Litigation, Features, Finances, RetainersLawyers: (Safely) make your own dent in the affordability barrier
Removing the barriers that stand between ordinary Ontarians and legal remedies will be a complex, long-term exercise. However, setting aside a few hours to do pro bono work is one way for lawyers to make a meaningful individual contribution to the bigger picture. LawPRO eases the decision to offer uncompensated services by offering lawyers special… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Pro bonoDoes your firm need to consider Excess insurance?
Test your exposure by checking each statement that is true for you or your firm: I am unsure of the file practices, procedures, and communications, in-take procedures, documenting retainers, reviewing opinions, docket controls, diary systems, completeness of documentation and file retention of all tenants, associated law practices, co-counsel, back-up or previous counsel I have worked… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Articles, Excess, Excess insurancePre-2012 matters not set down will be automatically dismissed January 1, 2017
As we move through September, LawPRO urges lawyers to review their litigation files and make sure they are proceeding as appropriate. The clock is ticking and time is running out! Remember, under the new Rule 48.14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, matters commenced before January 1, 2012 will be automatically dismissed – without notice… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Articles, Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Practice Tips, Time Management