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So far Lockton Affinity, LLC has created 16 blog entries.

12 Low-Cost Ways to Help Prevent Cyber Attacks

One way to mitigate the increased risk of cyber attacks is to look to low-cost and no-cost solutions that can offer an immediate risk management benefit without added expense or complexity. NYC Bar Insurance and CyberLock Defense have prepared this list of 12 low-cost and no-cost ways to help legal professionals prevent cyber attacks.

1. Identify Key Accounts and Systems

Every firm has key accounts and systems they need to run. An inventory of your vulnerabilities can help illuminate opportunities to protect them.

Think through all the key accounts and systems vital to your firm. Ask yourself if you could continue to operate without issue if something were to happen to them. Jotting down a few notes about protecting these key vulnerabilities is a great place […]

March 14th, 2022|

Withdrawing from a Case

Through the right client intake procedures, most incompatible clients can be avoided. However, on occasion, irreconcilable differences can pop up and with irreconcilable differences come risks of withdrawing from a case.

If you need to withdraw from a case, it is critical to attempt to minimize the possible adverse effect on the rights of the client and the possibility of prejudice to the client. The manner and means of terminating a relationship can affect the likelihood a malpractice claim will be filed.

Considerations when Withdrawing from a Case

Even when a withdrawal is justifiable, a lawyer should:

  • Give due notice of withdrawal
  • Suggest engaging other counsel
  • Deliver all papers and property to which the client is entitled
  • Cooperate with counsel subsequently employed
  • Attempt to minimize the possibility of harm to the client
  • […]

May 25th, 2021|

Tips for Texting Clients

Traditionally, law firm communications have been limited to meetings, letters, phone calls and emails. But like most people, you probably prefer a quick text to a more disruptive call. Research says 32% of people prefer a text to a call, and you may have already made a habit of texting with clients for quicker communication.

Texting offers lawyers a way to save time during the day, get quick answers from busy clients and impress on clients the fact that you are friendly, accessible and committed to a great representation.

Texting is a great medium for scheduling, reminders and other quick communications. However, improper text communications pose a substantial risk exposure for lawyers and law firms. So if you text your clients, follow these best practice tips for texting clients.

1. Set […]

February 24th, 2021|

Is Using Social Media for Evidence an Ethical Breach?

With the popularity of social media, a great deal of information that was once considered private has now been made public. Millions of people use social media platforms to share their photos, thoughts and activities. For lawyers, information disclosed on social media can often be important evidence in legal proceedings. But there are ethical considerations concerning when and how social media may be used as evidence in a court of law.

Lawyers need to consider whether using social for evidence may be an ethical breach in the context of a particular case. Snooping on opposing parties, witnesses or jurors through social media may provide much information, but the way a lawyer gains access to such information can be deemed unethical, which could lead to a claim.

Rules of Communications with Non-Clients

Unfortunately, […]

December 28th, 2020|

Email Wire Fraud Scams Affecting Lawyers and Their Firms

More and more, scammers are targeting lawyers by sending forged emails to law firms, clients and financial institutions. The wire fraud scams typically involve a compromised email account, which can be the lawyer’s, the client’s or even the bank’s. Scammers monitor the account to uncover pending transactions, such as a real estate purchase, a loan or the settlement of a lawsuit.

At the appropriate time when the parties are expecting a request for funds, the hackers (who often know exactly how much money is being transferred) will send wire instructions.

The funds are immediately swept from the account, and the hackers disappear. The emails usually originate from an address that appears to be from a legitimate sender but uses a slightly altered domain name.

Sometimes the scammer will request a change to […]

October 21st, 2020|

Tips for Texting and Emailing Clients

Many lawyers are rarely more than arm’s length from their cell phone. Taking a call on the go or sending out a quick email or text are the lifeblood of modern business communications. Yet email and text communications with clients may pose a substantial exposure. These tips for texting and emailing clients can help you manage your risk.

Tips for Texting Legal Clients

Texting offers an immediacy not possible with other means of communication. According to studies, 95% of texts are read within 3 minutes, with responses often sent within 90 seconds. Clients are like all texters in that they often come to expect a quick reply. But there are other factors to consider to reduce your risk of exposure.

1. Avoid Incomplete Answers Via Text

It’s best to avoid quick but […]

April 2nd, 2020|

Professional Liability Insurance FAQs

In the current legal climate, law firms face considerable risk from legal malpractice claims. Even if your firm is extremely diligent in your duty and obligations to clients and you enjoy great relationships with clients today, your firm could still face a stressful claim or costly litigation from an unhappy client in the future.

Legal Professional Liability Insurance can help protect your firm and minimize your risk, but many lawyers still have  Professional Liability Insurance FAQs about why it’s needed, what it is and how it works.

Why Is Professional Liability Insurance Needed?

While some law firms may go decades without a problem, others won’t be as lucky. Human errors are easy to make and can be difficult to prevent, and even a small administrative error could lead to costly claim. Yet […]

February 28th, 2020|

Tips for Lateral Moves for Attorneys

Like other members of the legal community, you may one day contemplate a lateral move to a new law firm. Lateral moves are common for attorneys, occurring for several reasons. Some aim to avoid stagnation, while others want to spur professional development or gain new perspective. Yet whatever your reasons, it’s important to plan carefully to minimize the risks to yourself, your clients, your current firm and any future employer.

If you are considering a lateral move, research the process within your own jurisdiction, review all contracts related to your employment with your current firm and have a clear understanding of your client obligations. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, leaving a law firm isn’t as simple as giving notice, so ensure you can thoroughly answer these questions:

Are […]

February 6th, 2020|

How to Avoid Creating Confidentiality Through a Firm Website

Visitors to your law firm’s website can quickly form an expectation of privacy and confidentiality, even when the formation of such an attorney-client relationship has not yet been established. To minimize your risk of a malpractice claim, it’s important to understand how to avoid creating confidentiality through your firm’s website.

Law firm websites are designed to be a helpful resource, with many firms sharing information about the firm, its attorneys and ways to contact the company. However, law firm websites are also designed to generate business. As a result, many firm websites include a contact form that includes fields for collecting an individual’s name and contact information, and a brief description of their legal issue, worded similarly to the following examples:

  • “Please provide a brief description of your legal issue”
  • […]

January 22nd, 2020|

Improving Attorney Wellbeing and Why It is Needed

In 2016, the ABA and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation evaluated 12,825 practicing attorneys and revealed some troubling findings about attorney wellbeing. The study found:

  • 28% experience symptoms of depression
  • 19% experience symptoms of anxiety
  • 23% experience symptoms of stress
  • 21 to 36% experience problematic drinking

The study also found that lawyers younger than 30 years of age and those working in the field for less than 10 years reported problematic drinking in a significantly higher proportion than that of their older or more experienced colleagues.

The study concluded that lawyers experience problematic drinking that is hazardous, harmful or otherwise consistent with alcohol use disorders at a higher rate than other professional populations. Lawyers also experience a concerning amount of behavioral health problems.

The Importance of Improving Attorney Wellbeing

Since the study, the ABA […]

November 15th, 2019|