Read posts by Topic
7 Objectives of Risk Management
November 29, 2022Implementing an effective risk management strategy–addressing anything that may interfere with the ability to provide quality legal services and generate a profit–is essential to a thriving law practice. The benefits include: improving the quality of legal services and attorney-client relationship, enhancing the firm’s profitability and insurability, and reducing the risk Read the full post
Best Practices for Drafting Effective Fee Agreements
October 17, 2022In this Article, we’ll discuss why crafting effective fee agreements is essential to a successful attorney-client relationship and summarize best practices for effective fee agreements. THE IMPORTANCE OF FEE AGREEMENTS Having a written fee agreement can (and should) set forth more than just the attorneys fees by also setting expectations Read the full post
Wire Transfer Scams: How to Minimize the Risk
September 19, 2022Scams continue to target Texas attorneys regardless of firm size. Email wire transfer scams–most commonly targeting real estate closings or legal settlements–have increased exponentially resulting in millions of dollars of losses each year. In this Article, we provide an overview of the prevalent email wire transfer scam, the ethical and Read the full post
Succession Planning Basics
August 18, 2022Have you considered what would happen if you were suddenly unable to practice law? If so, have you implemented a succession plan to protect your clients’ interests? No one wants to think about becoming ill, incapacitated, being suspended or disbarred, or dying unexpectedly. Perhaps for this reason, far too few Read the full post
Why Proper Documentation and Management is Critical to Your Practice
May 17, 2022It’s not uncommon for lawyers to neglect properly documenting their files. Attorneys often cite lack of time or wanting to keep costs down for not doing so. And yet, lack of documentation is part of many malpractice claims. In this Article, we cover why proper and thorough file documentation are Read the full post
When It’s Time to Say Goodbye: Terminating the Attorney-Client Relationship
April 18, 2022This Article focuses on the termination of the attorney-client relationship, including practical steps of withdrawal, ethical obligations under the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct (“Texas Rules”), and risk mitigation tips when terminating the attorney-client relationship. TERMINATING THE REPRESENTATION In many instances, the attorney-client relationship has a natural conclusion. For example, Read the full post
Wellness Tips for Lawyers Struggling with Mental Health or Substance Abuse Issues
February 15, 2022The Legal Profession has a Problem Mental health issues and substance abuse are pervasive within the legal community, and studies consistently show that they affect lawyers at a higher rate compared to the general population. A 2016 landmark study from the Journal of Addiction Medicine underscores this fact with some Read the full post
Are You Adequately Protected? Understanding the Perils of being Underinsured
January 21, 2022Attorneys who assume that obtaining legal malpractice insurance will adequately protect them from any type of claim arising in connection with the operation of their law practice may be in for a rude awakening. Consider these scenarios. An attorney opens a phishing email, or opens an email from someone whose Read the full post
Changes to Texas Lawyers Advertising and Solicitation Rules: The Highlights
June 21, 2021The comprehensive proposal amending Part VII of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct was recently approved by the Texas Supreme Court, and will took effect on July 1, 2021. The changes were designed to improve, modernize and simplify the advertising and solicitation rules. This summary highlights some of the Read the full post
Hurricane Harvey Resources
August 29, 2017We know that some of our members are likely having a difficult time with the effects of Hurricane Harvey. If there is anything we can do to help you with ethical or malpractice issues, let us know. The Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals have issued a Read the full post