Lawyers Mutual

The origin of the word “vacation” comes from the Latin word vacare, which means “to be empty or free.” Some vacations that I have taken are consistent with this root word. When I travelled to the Everglades to camp on a deserted island, I certainly felt free of work obligations and the t… Read More

Drafting errors are one of the most common causes of legal malpractice claims. Every year, Lawyers Mutual receives multiple claims arising from lawyers’ drafting mistakes. Some of these claims could be described as minor claims, while others result in substantial damages. A minor typographical error can j… Read More

As with any new sweeping federal regulatory scheme, there are kinks to work out and questions which need clarification. This has certainly been true for the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) of the U.S. Department of Treasury has cont… Read More

In the legal realm, grappling with complex matters is routine, whether it involves forecasting unexpected legal twists or devising strategies to outmaneuver adversaries. A prevalent tactic employed by management teams in tackling such complexities is tapping into the "wisdom of crowds" – soliciting divers… Read More

We have all been there. The firm has called a meeting or another lawyer in the firm wants to have a meeting with you. The content presented in the meeting could have easily been provided to you in an email. While you’re in the meeting, your email inbox grows and the pile of work on your desk continues to … Read More

‌On April 8, 2024, American Bar Association President, Mary Smith, issued a statement calling on all members of the legal profession to defend against increasing threats against judges in the United States  Smith noted that threats against judges have doubled since 2019. They include threats of physi… Read More

Lawyers Mutual congratulates Ted Edwards, who was honored by the North Carolina State Bar with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service award. The award was presented to Edwards by State Bar President A. Todd Brown on February 23, 2024, at the LAP Minority Outreach Conference. The award is given to North Caro… Read More

In a March 23, 2024, press release, the Administrative Office of the Courts announced that the rollout for eCourts will continue with 10 new counties from the North Piedmont/Triad region converting over on April 29, 2024, and 11 new Western counties moving to eCourts starting July 22, 2024. The North Piedmont/… Read More

North Carolina allows a surviving spouse to petition for a year’s allowance in the amount of $60,000. This allowance is paid out of the personal property in the estate and is intended to provide a means of support for a surviving spouse during an estate administration. Under the existing statutory framewo… Read More

Most people don’t enjoy going to the doctor for a physical exam. There is all the poking and prodding and the lectures from your doctor about your lifestyle, diet, weight, and exercise. There is the potential that the doctor might find some illness or disease that you were unaware of. And yet most of us c… Read More

 Eighty percent of legal consumers looking to hire an attorney will move on if they don’t here back from an attorney within 48 hours. Seventy percent of consumers review online content before engaging with an attorney. This includes blogs, websites, online reviews, social media sites, and testimonia… Read More

A recent ABA Journal article offers a cautionary tale for lawyers who commit malpractice. The article describes the case of a Georgia lawyer who was disbarred after submitting falsified documents in her disciplinary case. The lawyer had been hired to represent a personal injury client who had been injured in … Read More

On March 1, 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Northeastern Division declared the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) unconstitutional. In National Small Business Association v. Yellen, Judge Liles C. Burke found that Congress had exceeded its powers in enac… Read More

 North Carolina allows a surviving spouse to petition for a year’s allowance in the amount of $60,000. This allowance is paid out of the personal property in the estate and is intended to provide a means of support for a surviving spouse during an estate administration. Under the existing statutory f… Read More

Lawyers Mutual congratulates retired Superior Court Judge Quentin T. Sumner, who was honored with the Chief Justice Commission on Professionalism (CJCP) Judicial District Professionalism Award. The award was presented to Judge Sumner by Chief Justice Paul Newby at an 8th District Bar luncheon and CLE presente… Read More