Client Engagement Letter: ‘Why Not?’
I am still amazed when firms say they don’t use an engagement letter, or don’t use one most of the time, especially on repeat business with a client. My response is usually, “Why not?” After all, the letter can be pretty much boilerplate, so we are not talking about a huge effort in crafting something […]
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Safeguard Your Practice in Uncertain Times
History has shown that stressful economic times leads to a higher number of legal malpractice claims. For example, following the 2008 recession, legal malpractice claims in the U.S. rose sharply. Theories abound as to why this is the case. Reasons for a recent increase may include changes to court rules and procedures related to COVID, […]
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Top 5 Ways to Mitigate a Charge of Discrimination
This resource has been written by guest author Katherine Mazaheri. Ms. Mazaheri is an Oklahoma trial lawyer who regularly represents plaintiff employees in all areas of employment law, including litigation in state and federal courts, in mediation, before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, Department of Labor and Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. She also trains […]
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10 Tips for Avoiding the Scariest Thing in the World
For most lawyers, horror movie villains and things that go bump in the night can’t hold a candle to the heart-stopping, terrifying thought of a malpractice claim (or even a bar complaint). Because, while werewolves or menacing grifters chase unsuspecting teens through dark forests and haunted hallways, the sun eventually always comes up and the […]
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Know the Risks: Being On Your Client’s Board of Directors
It can be very gratifying, both personally and monetarily, to be asked to serve on a client’s board of directors. It is also easy to understand why a client might make the request. The attorney may have worked closely with the company’s founders to create the business and will likely have a solid grasp of […]
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PHIL’S CORNER: Managing Your Clients’ Expectations
A couple of things make it increasingly difficult to achieve client satisfaction in the provision of legal services. Starting out with a disgruntled client who is never happy and has already been to four other lawyers creates a mountain that is very difficult to climb. But, the other very tough situation is a client who […]
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Office Sharing and Avoiding the Risk of a Malpractice Claim
With the combined expense of actual office space, staff and equipment, many lawyers choose to enter into an office sharing arrangement as an economical way to hang out their shingle. Although there may be initial cost-saving benefits, there are disadvantages to sharing offices with other professionals, such as increased exposure to bar grievances or malpractice […]
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Looking at Oklahoma’s Most Common Bar Complaints
The Oklahoma Bar Association publishes Professional Responsibility Commission Annual Report (PDF). It includes disciplinary actions taken by the commission as well as grievances filed by members of the public. As interesting as the first one is, we’ll be exploring the latter. Although a claim of malpractice is very different than a bar grievance, and one […]
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Considerations for Attorneys With Clients in Cannabis-Related Businesses
We were probably the first lawyers professional liability insurer to openly declare the willingness to write coverage for law firms providing legal services to cannabis business clients. Many insurers declined to underwrite firms with these types of clients, while others crafted specific exclusions for claims arising from clients in a cannabis business. On the other […]
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The Two Biggest Errors in Oil & Gas Practices
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Oklahoma is ranked fourth in the top oil-producing states in the country. Oil and gas is a rewarding business, not just for the country and state, but for attorneys who practice in this area. However, like with most resources that generate lucrative income, it comes with risks and […]
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