Lawyers and law firms facing legal malpractice or bar discipline claims can become hyper-focused on defense. But when not embroiled in defending a claim, most law firms know that prevention is the key to avoiding claims and ethical problems. For that reason, more and more firms are devoting resources to ethics training and loss prevention. But are these resources enough?
The problem with ethics training is that-however well-intentioned-it must focus on the real world situations that lawyers and law firms face. And no one knows better what causes a malpractice claim or ethics complaint than legal malpractice defense counsel and lawyers who defend other lawyers before the Board of Bar Overseers (BBO).
This highly-experienced panel of malpractice defense counsel and lawyers who practice before the BBO, including a former chair of the BBO, provide real-world examples of how and why lawyers get in trouble. They share their experiences “from the trenches” and highlight practical tips and techniques to avoid malpractice claims.
Defending against malpractice claims or ethics complaints has both an economic and psychological impact. When it comes to malpractice, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. This program is a must-attend for law firm management, in-house counsel, and risk management counsel for firms of all sizes.
The problem with ethics training is that-however well-intentioned-it must focus on the real world situations that lawyers and law firms face. And no one knows better what causes a malpractice claim or ethics complaint than legal malpractice defense counsel and lawyers who defend other lawyers before the Board of Bar Overseers (BBO).
This highly-experienced panel of malpractice defense counsel and lawyers who practice before the BBO, including a former chair of the BBO, provide real-world examples of how and why lawyers get in trouble. They share their experiences “from the trenches” and highlight practical tips and techniques to avoid malpractice claims.
Defending against malpractice claims or ethics complaints has both an economic and psychological impact. When it comes to malpractice, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. This program is a must-attend for law firm management, in-house counsel, and risk management counsel for firms of all sizes.
Course Content
2:00 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.Welcome and Introduction
Hon. Debra A. Squires-Lee,
Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
2:05 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.
Client Intake, Conflicts & Termination
Gary M. Ronan, Esq.,
Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
a. Client Intake & Selection: Traps & Risks for the Unwary
b. Conflicts, Conflicts, Conflicts: Why Do Lawyers Still Get it Wrong?
c. Termination Issues: How to Avoid a Bad Breakup
2:55 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Client Communications, Client Funds & Zealous Advocacy
Hon. Debra A. Squires-Lee,
Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
a. Communication: Fulfilling Your Duty to Communicate is the Key to Loss Prevent
b. Client Funds & the BBO: From IOLTA Accounts to Overbilling
c. Zealous Advocacy & Potential Pitfalls
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break
4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Attorney Supervision & Attorney Mental Health
Mary B. Strother, Esq.,
Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
a. Supervision: What Does It Mean that Law Firms Have a Duty to Oversee Associates, Paralegals & Contractors?
b. Drugs, Alcohol & Depression: Issues that Law Firms Cannot Ignore
4:50 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
'Ask the Experts' Q&A Session
Panel
Please Note
This webcast is delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal.
There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only.
They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.
Speakers
ChairHon. Debra A. Squires-Lee,
Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Faculty
Christopher R. Blazejewski, Esq.,
Sherin and Lodgen LLP, Boston
Gary M. Ronan, Esq.,
Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Mary B. Strother, Esq.,
Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
