Succession Planning Basics
August 18, 2022
Have you considered what would happen if you were suddenly unable to practice law? If so, have you implemented a succession plan to protect…
Resources
Our Resource Center includes our TLIE 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
Article
Article
Duty of Confidentiality in Correcting Client Statements
July 22, 2022
Most lawyers generally understand their duty of confidentiality. And yet, the duty of confidentiality is a common pitfall for many attorneys. Often there are…
Article
Mediation: Practical Tips to Achieving a Favorable Outcome
June 14, 2022
Mediation has become an increasingly popular form of resolving a dispute. After all, litigation is costly, stressful, and time-consuming. In this Article, we discuss…
Article
Why Proper Documentation and Management is Critical to Your Practice
May 17, 2022
It’s not uncommon for lawyers to neglect properly documenting their files. Attorneys often cite lack of time or wanting to keep costs down for…
Article
When It’s Time to Say Goodbye: Terminating the Attorney-Client Relationship
April 18, 2022
This Article focuses on the termination of the attorney-client relationship, including practical steps of withdrawal, ethical obligations under the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct…
News
TLIE Celebrates Tom Hanna
March 11, 2022
Long-time Board member Thomas “Tom” Hanna passed away on February 6, 2022, during his 37th year of service on the Board of Directors of…
Article
Practical Tips for Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
March 10, 2022
Conflicts of interest are a consistent source of legal malpractice claims. In a study of TLIE’s claims between 1996 and 2001, 16.4% of all…
News
In Memoriam: Thomas Lee “Tom” Hanna
March 1, 2022
TLIE lost a great friend and champion with the recent passing of Thomas Lee “Tom” Hanna. Tom was born in Hall Summit, Louisiana on…
Article
Wellness Tips for Lawyers Struggling with Mental Health or Substance Abuse Issues
February 15, 2022
The Legal Profession has a Problem Mental health issues and substance abuse are pervasive within the legal community, and studies consistently show that they…
Article
Are You Adequately Protected? Understanding the Perils of being Underinsured
January 21, 2022
Attorneys who assume that obtaining legal malpractice insurance will adequately protect them from any type of claim arising in connection with the operation of…
News
TLIE Gives Back 25 Years in a Row
January 3, 2022
Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange is the only insurance company in Texas that is owned by the lawyers and judges that it insures. And as…
News
Jett Hanna Retires from TLIE
December 27, 2021
After more than 34 years of distinguished service to the legal profession, Senior Vice President Jett Hanna announced that he will retire from Texas…
Article
Mistakes Happen: Don’t Make It Worse
December 8, 2021
Even the most diligent attorneys can make mistakes. Mishandling of mistakes, however, is entirely preventable. And failure to properly handle mistakes may make things…
Article
Confidentiality Obligations to Prospective Clients under Texas Ethics Opinion 691
November 10, 2021
What are your confidentiality obligations to prospective clients? The Professional Ethics Committee for the State Bar of Texas (“Ethics Committee”) has weighed in with…
Article
Part Two: Steps to Avoid Malpractice Claims for Plaintiffs’ Lawyers
October 5, 2021
This Article is our follow-up to our Part I on Steps to Avoid Malpractice Claims for Plaintiffs’ Lawyers. In this Article, we expand on…
News
TLIE wins Texas Lawyer “Best of” Poll 2021
September 1, 2021
For the eleventh straight year, TLIE has won the Texas Lawyer Best of readers’ poll! TLIE won 1st place for Professional Liability Insurance Provider…
Article
Part One: Steps to Avoid Malpractice Claims for Plaintiffs’ Lawyers
August 24, 2021
While none of us are infallible, malpractice claims can be avoided in most situations. Here are some of the most common ways that plaintiffs’…
Article
Practical Tips for Texas Lawyers on Staying Ethical on Social Media
August 3, 2021
Attorneys have increasingly embraced social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Avvo for professional purposes. According to the American Bar Association’s 2020 Legal…
Article
Changes to Texas Lawyers Advertising and Solicitation Rules: The Highlights
June 21, 2021
The comprehensive proposal amending Part VII of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct was recently approved by the Texas Supreme Court, and will…
News
In Memoriam: James E. Brill
June 5, 2021
Long-time member of TLIE’s Board of Directors, James E. “Jimmy” Brill died on Thursday, May 27, 2021, just two days shy of his 88th birthday. Jimmy’s Texas roots…
Article
I’m Not A Cat: Etiquette, Privacy and Security Considerations When Using Video Meeting Platforms
June 5, 2021
As working remotely has become the new normal, it’s no surprise that video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex…
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.