Recently, the legal malpractice industry has seen an uptick in claims filed against defense attorneys. Some of these claims are of high severity, resulting in seven figure settlements or verdicts.
What is responsible for this new development and how can defense attorneys guard against it?
Traditionally, defense work supported by institutional clients drew relatively few malpractice claims. Institutional
Do you know how what social media ethics guidelines your firm should follow? People’s willingness to disclose personal information on social media can be particularly helpful in the discovery phase of litigation. Snooping on opposing parties, witnesses or jurors through social media can provide a treasure-trove of information that might have once taken a private investigator months to obtain. However, lawyers need
Often, friends or family will approach attorneys for free and quick legal advice. While it may seem like a good idea, providing such advice, without taking the proper measures, can end in a lawsuit.
In a recent professional liability claim, a friend approached an attorney (a Swiss Re insured) to assist in forming a corporation.
The attorney helped form a commercial
Respected security professionals have compared email to postcards written in pencil—they can be viewed or altered by third parties easily.
Hackers are targeting law firms to steal sensitive client information more and more. A security breach can diminish your firm’s reputation and can also have serious legal and financial ramifications.
It is also ethically required for attorneys to take reasonable measures to safeguard information
Browsing through your inbox, you notice that the check from the insurance carrier you recently settled a claim with has arrived. Imagining all the wonderful things you can do with your portion of the proceeds, you pick up the phone to call your client and ask her if she wants to stop by the following day and pick up her portion. “How
Email has become the preferred method of communication for corresponding with colleagues and clients. Although writing an email is easy, lawyers need to avoid email pitfalls. By avoiding the common errors discussed below, your emails will remain effective and professional.
It is essential to do a thorough review of an email before sending it to the
Swiss Re recently experienced a complex, high exposure case related to improper file documentation. The case likely would not have been pursued if the insured had properly documented their client file.
To prevent experiencing a similar case, read on for proper file documentation tips.
Our insured attorney represented debtors in a bankruptcy case. One of the pressing issues in the bankruptcy case was
Claims made against attorneys who practice in the area of estate, probate and trust have been steadily increasing.
As the Baby Boomer generation ages, we are experiencing the largest generational transfer of wealth than at any other time in our history. While the Boomers are the wealthiest of all previous generations, they often lived with a “can’t take it with you” mentality.
Even with
As an attorney, not much seems worse than facing a malpractice claim. Having a financially sound, respected and dependable carrier, however, can make all the difference during such a stressful time. Knowing that insurance professionals are managing the defense of the claim and that your carrier will be there to fund any settlement or judgment against you is essential for your peace
In 2016, the ABA and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation evaluated 12,825 practicing attorneys and revealed some troubling findings. The study found:
The study also found that lawyers younger than 30 years of age and those working in the field for less than