Topics
What 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 MediaConsider 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 & EstatesProtecting yourself from cybercrime dangers: The steps you need to take
Cybercrime dangers are many, complex and ever-changing. Hardly a day goes by without another news report of a data breach or other cyber-related scam or theft. Cyber criminals have considerable resources and expertise, and can cause significant damage to their targets. Cyber criminals specifically target law firms as law firms regularly have funds in their… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Features, Fraud, Legal TechnologyThe LAWPRO $250,000 cybercrime coverage: What it covers and why
As of the 2014 policy year, the LAWPRO mandatory insurance program will include express coverage in the amount of $250,000 for losses related to cybercrime, as defined in the policy. This sublimit (or cap) of coverage provides a modest “safety net” for lawyers in the area of cybercrime exposure. We say modest because like the… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyCyber risk insurance options: Do you have the coverage you need?
The prevalence of cyber-related crime has been steadily increasing for a number of years. Many businesses invest heavily in the necessary IT infrastructure to protect their data, but despite best efforts and intentions, the frequent news stories in the press should serve as confirmation that breaches do occur. The cost implications of having personal or… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Errors & Omissions, Firm Management, LAWPRO policyBe ready with an incident response plan
Because a cybercrime attack can cause irreparable harm, law firms should be prepared to take action immediately. Being able to do this requires an Incident Response Plan (IRP). An effective IRP can put a firm in a position to effectively and efficiently manage a breach by protecting sensitive data, systems, and networks, and to quickly… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Features, FraudInteresting times (and cybercrimes) call for active risk reduction efforts, not just insurance coverage
Legal systems and their participants have a reputation – perhaps no longer just – for being slow to embrace technological change. But while good lawyers know that technology tools are not (at least not yet!) a full replacement for the exercise of professional judgment and the application of legal knowledge, they also know that a… Read More »
Categories: 2013 December Cybercrime, Articles, Cyber dangers, Editorials