Articles

If you practice law long enough, you are bound to make a mistake while representing a client. Some mistakes are harmless and immaterial. Other mistakes may be fatal to your client’s case. In between those two extremes are mistakes that cause your client to suffer some negative consequences or create the possibility of negative consequences in the future. What is required of you when you make a mistake depends on the nature and severity of the error. Failure to make appropriate and timely disclosure of errors can result in adverse disciplinary, malpractice and coverage consequences.   Read More +

Missed deadlines remain the number one source of claims at Lawyers Mutual. Although it appears missed deadlines would be an easy error to avoid, we see it all too frequently. Missed deadlines can include missed statutes of limitations, missed deadlines to obtain alias and pluries summons, missed discovery deadlines, and missed appellate deadlines. Having a good docketing and calendaring system, as well as a routine surrounding deadlines, can help avoid this all-too-common mistake.    Read More +

If you are a plaintiff’s lawyer, I’ll bet all too often you receive a responsive pleading contesting service of the summons and complaint and personal jurisdiction over the defendant. Sometimes your client’s case may be threatened if the statute of limitations has expired.   Read More +

The most frequently asked question we receive in the Underwriting Department is “do I need tail coverage?”  This, of course, leads to questions about what it is, how does it work, and what is the cost. Every attorney’s situation is different, and you should speak with one of our underwriters about your specific situation.  With that said, let’s review the basic concepts of tail coverage to help you answer this question.     Read More +

Wire fraud was a problem prior to Covid-19; however, with the increase in remote work spurred by the pandemic, wire fraud has increased. Cyber-attacks have occurred in every sector of life and attorneys are not immune.  In fact, real estate attorneys are a prime target for cyber criminals. Read More +

Sometimes we lawyers take discovery deadlines lightly. So what’s the worst that can happen? Opposing counsel files a motion to compel discovery, and the Court enters an order compelling discovery?   Read More +

We have all heard the saying, “Don’t bury your head in the sand.”  It was once believed that ostriches buried their heads in the sand to avoid predators. The theory was that ostriches were so simple-minded that they thought that, if they couldn’t see their predators, then their pred… Read More +

If the calls we receive at Lawyers Mutual are any indication, there has been a significant increase in estate litigation in recent years. A consequence of all that litigation is that estate planning attorneys are regularly receiving requests for their client files. The request may take the form of an informal p… Read More +

Rule 3 – Delayed Service of Complaint - It’s the Summons that Counts! Last month, I wrote about Williams v. Jennette and using Rule 6(b) to enlarge the time for filing the complaint that was filed using the Rule 3 “Delayed Service of Complaint” process. Today, I would like to take a ste… Read More +

Law Lessons from Shoeless Joe’s Last Ballgame Read More +

Rrecommendations for a successful limited scope representation. Read More +

Guardian ad Litems risk management tips. Read More +

A review of engagement agreements. Read More +

Examples of common estate planning errors. Read More +

A Valentine’s Day story about the redemptive power of love. Read More +

Five reasons why you should review your client files this New Year and fire at least one client. Read More +

Common estate planning errors Lawyers Mutual is seeing and how to avoid them. Read More +

Equitable distribution and alimony claims review. Read More +

Preventing Alias or Pluries summonses mistakes. Read More +

A solid intake interview will go a long way to making sure the cases you choose to work on are fulfilling for you and your clients. Read More +