TLI Declares $3,000,000 Distribution for 2018
January 16, 2019
TLI Board of Directors holding Distribution Check for 2018 2018 was another good year for TLI and its insureds. Based on a substantial decline…
Resources
Our Resource Center includes our TLI Top Tips, articles, and links to other third party resources to assist our members with their loss prevention and best practices efforts.
News, Articles, & Top Tips
News
Article
Revisions to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Disciplinary Rules of Procedure
September 12, 2018
On March 1, effective on June 1, 2018, the Texas Supreme Court changed both the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules of Procedure…
News
TLI Declares $5,000,000 Distribution
January 3, 2018
2017 was another very good year for Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange and our members. In years that premiums earned exceed projected claims, TLI returns…
Article
A Hacked Email Account: The Special Dangers for Lawyers
November 28, 2017
Many people have had their email accounts hacked-a third party has gained control over the email account. Perhaps the most common sign is receiving…
Article
What a Good Data Security Program Looks Like
November 28, 2017
Law firms need a data security plan. Here is an outline of the major points that should be considered in the structure of law…
Article
The Implications of ABA Opinion 477 for Texas Lawyers’ Use of the Internet for Communication
November 28, 2017
The opening paragraph summarizing ABA Formal Ethics Opinion 477 places requirements on lawyers using the Internet to transmit client information: A lawyer generally may…
News
TLI Adds Cyber Coverage for Most Insureds
November 27, 2017
Every lawyer and law firm employee today depends on computers to do their job. Law firm records, work-product and client information are all stored…
Article
Disaster Planning Guide For Lawyers
September 25, 2017
The devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is a good reminder to lawyers to make a plan for the unexpected – minimizing…
Article
Exposure for Double Damages to Attorneys and Law Firms under Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
September 25, 2017
Medicare provides eligible individuals the right to receive Medicare benefits through Parts A and B or through Part C of the program. Parts A…
Article
Hurricane Harvey Resources
August 29, 2017
We know that some of our members are likely having a difficult time with the effects of Hurricane Harvey. If there is anything we…
News
TLI Declares 20th Consecutive Distribution
January 17, 2017
This is TLI’s 37th anniversary, and I am very pleased to report that 2016 was another successful year for Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange. On…
News
TLI Declares 20th Consecutive Distribution
January 17, 2017
This is TLI’s 37th anniversary, and I am very pleased to report that 2016 was another successful year for Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange. On…
Article
Why Anti-Virus is Not Enough
January 4, 2017
In a recent TLI claim, a lawyer was engaged to close a transaction. On the day before closing, the lawyer received an email from…
Article
Keeping Confidences When A Lawyer Changes Firms
January 4, 2017
One of our most frequently asked questions at TLI concerns potential conflict issues with lateral hires. When a lawyer moves from one law firm…
News
TLIE’s Loss Prevention Services
December 20, 2016
TLIE offers free loss prevention services for its insureds, as well as low cost continuing education and certain other free resources for all attorneys.…
Article
I Received a Letter From the State Bar of Texas. What Do I Do Now?”
September 22, 2016
Receiving a letter from the State Bar of Texas notifying you that a grievance has been filed against you can be upsetting and daunting.…
News
Chair’s Message to Members
May 1, 2016
Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange celebrated its 37th anniversary in May 2016, and I am happy to report the past year has been another great…
Article
Avvo Advisor: Should Texas Lawyers Join?
February 23, 2016
UPDATE: Avvo has fixed one of the potential issues we identified, the need to make clear to potential clients that the lawyer has paid…
Article
Email CCs and BCCs to Clients are Ethical, But Risky
February 12, 2016
A recent ethics opinion from New York indicates that making a client a cc or bcc on an email to opposing counsel is ethical,…
Article
Study Shows High Frequency of Mental Health Issues Among Lawyers
February 9, 2016
A new study from the Journal of Addiction Medicine shows how serious mental health issues are in the legal profession. The study, published in The…
Article
Texas Ethics Opinion Allows Lawyers to Use Collection Agencies: Should You Use Them?
February 9, 2016
A recent Texas ethics opinion addresses two issues concerning collection of unpaid fees from clients. In Opinion 652, the Professional Ethics Committee addresses whether a…
Books & Helpful Links
The following books and links reflect resources that we believe offer important content on Texas legal malpractice and ethics issues. We are always looking for new resources. If you have suggestions for additional sites or know that one of our sources is outdated, please contact us.
Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program
A confidential resource that helps attorneys, judges, and law students find solutions for dealing with substance use and mental health issues and provides resources for incorporating a healthier lifestyle.
State Bar Ethics Resources
The Bar has ethics resources. The ethics hotline can provide answers to certain ethical questions. Call (800)532-3947 for more information.
University of Houston Texas Ethics Reporter
This site includes Texas Disciplinary Rules of Conduct and Procedure, as well as Ethics Opinions, and includes prior versions of the rules.
The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism
TCLEP is a non-profit center funded in large part by the Texas Bar Foundation. Resources on this site include the Texas Disciplinary Rules, Ethics Opinions, A Guide to the Basics of Law Practice, the Ethics Course, and other Texas specific materials.
Law Practice Management Program of the State Bar of Texas
The Law Practice Management Program of the State Bar of Texas offers a number of helpful guides that can help lawyers keep organized and practice efficiently.
ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability
The Standing Committee offers a number of important resources for attorneys interested in lawyers professional liability and insurance. A number of materials can be purchased online, including The Lawyer’s Desk Guide to Legal Malpractice.
ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
The Center for Professional Responsibility coordinates most of the ABA’s activities regarding legal ethics. There are usually a couple of commissions or subcommittee working on hot topics, and they will have links on this page. ABA ethics opinions may be available on the site.
ABA Law Practice Management Division
The ABA’s Law Practice Management has many great resources to help with running a law practice.
The ABA Legal Technology and Resource Center
LTEC focuses on law firm hardware and software.
Legalethics.com
This website focuses on ethical aspects of the use of technology by lawyers.
Legal Ethics Forum
This is a blog by law professors who specialize in legal ethics, and provides a good source for current news on ethics.
William Freivogel’s Conflicts Website
This website collects cases on conflicts issues in an easy to use format.
NABRICO Sites
TLIE is a member of the National Association of Bar Related Insurance Companies. The websites for the companies often provide valuable loss prevention advice and forms. If you are an attorney from a state other than Texas, you may want to check with these companies for professional liability and other types of insurance.
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
Lawyers who handle money for their clients must participate in the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program, by depositing these funds into an IOLTA bank account at an eligible institution. This website tells you how.
Explore Our Continuing Education Resources
Our commitment to helping you succeed includes an investment in your professional development to help safeguard your practice with additional education on how to avoid complaints and claims.