TLI Top Tip: Filing Requirements for New or Updated Websites
November 13, 2025
In Texas, an “advertisement” is “a communication substantially motivated by pecuniary gain that is made by or on behalf of a lawyer to members…
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
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Serving on the Board of a Client Corporation
November 6, 2025
ABA Formal Opinion 98-410 (Opinion 410) specifically addressed the situation when an attorney for a corporation is also on the board of that corporation. …
Article
Crossing the Rubicon: When does a fee become “unconscionable”?
October 31, 2025
Discussing fees generates more awkwardness and turmoil than nearly all other lawyer-client interactions. And yet, “[l]awyers have a duty, at the outset of the…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: No Tricks, Please! Just TREATS
October 30, 2025
Talk to your clients. Year after year, the failure to communicate is the number one complaint filed against lawyers with the State Bar of…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: New ABA Formal Opinion 518 regarding Duties of a Lawyer-Mediator
October 23, 2025
ABA Formal Opinion 518 addresses a lawyer’s duties when acting as a third-party neutral mediator under ABA Model Rule 2.4, as well as other…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Changes to Court Procedures for Motions for Summary Judgment
October 16, 2025
For civil litigants, it can be frustrating to present a dispositive issue to a court only to have that issue go unresolved for the…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Trip Ups in Claims from the Third Quarter of 2025
October 9, 2025
In third quarter of 2025, TLI closed 30 claims which cost approximately $7,070,000 to defend and resolve. We are providing summaries of several of…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: New Safe Harbor for SMBs that have a Cybersecurity Program
October 2, 2025
We have previously advised on a lawyer’s duty to be competent in technology and take reasonable precautions to safeguard client information, as well as…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Charging to withdraw? Think again.
September 25, 2025
We have previously discussed when and how an attorney can withdraw from representing a client. See, our Top Tip of April 24, 2025, as…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: What do I do with old paper files?
September 18, 2025
We often receive inquiries from lawyers who want to know what to do with their old paper files. Many times, these lawyers have decades…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Exciting Changes to TLI Professional Liability Policies
September 11, 2025
For all professional liability policies quoted on or after July 24, 2025, TLI is pleased to announce a number of changes and enhancements made…
Article
Conflicts 101: A Guide for the Texas Lawyer
September 9, 2025
Conflicts of interest continue to be a common source of claims against attorneys for legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty. These claims are…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Help! My client refuses to communicate with me
September 4, 2025
Even when a client has sought out an attorney for legal representation, the client may, during the representation, stop responding to the lawyer’s inquiries,…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Ethical Considerations when Using Virtual Assistants
August 28, 2025
Whether you decide to use a human who works remotely or artificial intelligence (AI) like chatbots, virtual assistants can provide a number of benefits…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Help! I got a letter from the State Bar regarding a Grievance
August 21, 2025
If you get a letter from the State Bar that a grievance has been filed which requires a response, we recommend you take the…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Your duties regarding a cyber threat targeting law firms
August 14, 2025
Earlier this year, the FBI released a new cyber alert regarding a ransomware threat by SRG targeting law firms which uses social engineering calls…
News
TLI Wins Texas Lawyer “Best of” Poll 2025
August 12, 2025
For the 15th straight year, TLI has won the Texas Lawyer Best of readers’ poll! TLI won in the following categories: Professional Liability Insurance provider (Austin),…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Help! My client won’t pay me
August 7, 2025
Attorneys, like other professionals, have a right to be paid reasonable fees for the necessary legal services they provide. Unfortunately, because attorneys are fiduciaries…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Acquiring an interest in a client business? Rule 1.08(a) is not just DICTA
July 31, 2025
In October 2024, the Texas Supreme Court adopted significant changes to Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 1.08(a), which sets out the requirements a…
news
Insurance We Sell & Why you Need It
July 28, 2025
For over 45 years, TLI has been protecting Texas lawyers and supporting them in their practices. Initially, TLI filled a large hole in the…
TLI Top Tip
TLI Top Tip: Doing the (Side) Hustle?
July 24, 2025
One question that comes up with some regularity is how to ethically navigate the situation where lawyers who practice law also have other businesses…
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.