Articles

What do you think is the number one complaint clients have about their lawyers? It is not lack of knowledge or competence. It is not even dissatisfaction with the outcome of a matter or the cost to the client.  A BTI Consulting Group Survey indicates that failure to keep a client adequately informed is far and above the number one complaint clients have.   Read More +

There are 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, and 30,000 of them live in North Carolina. Nationwide, there are approximately four lawyers for every 1,000 residents, but most lawyers work in urban areas. Many rural areas of the country have few or no lawyers. Legal experts call these legal deserts.   Read More +

The Pentagon has deployed thousands of servicemembers in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Naval frigates, surveillance aircraft, artillery units and brigade combat teams are all heading out as part of the first-ever NATO Response Force.   Read More +

This year for my birthday I gave myself the gift of hernia surgery. I cannot say it was the most fun gift ever, but still, I am grateful. Technically what I had was an Inguinal Hernia Repair – the awful name suggests the unpleasantness of the procedure – and I came away with not only a reinforced abdominal wall but also some valuable Law Lessons and the World’s Best BLT Sandwich. Here’s hoping this story will add a little brightness to Your Law Life too.   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 +

My millennial children like to give me a hard time for not using all the features that my new I-phone offers. I talk, text, e-mail, take pictures, search the internet, and even ask Siri for directions. But did you know you can use your iPhone as a tape measurer or set different vibrations or tones for different callers. 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 +

Here’s some free advice: if you want to make your clients happy, don’t give them too many choices. That may sound counterintuitive. After all, it’s their case. They’re the Ultimate Deciders. Your job is to supply the map, point out different routes to the destination, and let them choose. Read More +

It has taken me 20 years to identify steps lawyers can take throughout the life of an attorney-client relationship that will help avoid grievances and malpractice claims. You can learn them in a few minutes. Here are 10 steps to help guide your journey.   Read More +

… what’s with all those commercials? You are forgiven if you feel teleported to the 1970s, what with the ubiquitous TV pitches by Jimmie ‘J.J.’ Walker and ‘Broadway’ Joe Namath for the Medicare Helpline. So what gives?  Well, its annual open enrollment time for what’s known as Medicare Part C.   Read More +

Does your 2022 Strategic Plan include expanding your law firm? If so, have you thought about buying a law firm as a way of expanding your revenues, your practice areas, or your geographic footprint?  One of the first questions asked is how does financing the purchase of a firm work?   Read More +

This Valentine’s Day, if you’re seeking a sweet role model for your Law Life, look no further than Minnie Minoso. Saturnino Orestes Armas Miñoso – better known by baseball fans as “Mr. White Sox” or “The Cuban Comet” or just Minnie – was not only a wonder on the ballfield. He was also a trailblazer ...   Read More +

The Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 (“CTA”)[1] was enacted January 1, 2021, as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (“AMLA”), which is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (“NDAA”).[2] This article contains highlights[3] of the CTA, an outlook of regulations to come, and an alert to North Carolina attorneys of the potential impact with respect to a commercial real estate practice. Read More +

Heyden Enochson, strategic communications manager with OnStrategy, says that strategic planning as we have always done it is dead, especially in the age of hybrid work and the fatigue that many organizations face today. He even suggests calling it by a different name such as growth planning or future planning. This provides a fresh approach while staying true to the core components of being strategic.   Read More +

Here’s a tip for a terrific Law Life: make room for a little astonishment each day. You may find it’s easier said than done. Nothing surprises us anymore. We’ve seen and heard it all. We can stream any movie ever made, listen to any song ever recorded, google the answer to any question ever asked.   Read More +

Dr. David Ekerdt is a former professor who spent his career studying retirement as a sociology and gerontology specialist. In an essay written for the Wall Street Journal titled “I Spent 44 Years Studying Retirement. Then I Retired.”, Dr. Ekerdt shares his personal story. I believe lawyers who are … Read More +

In 2021, litigation errors constituted one-third of all the claims reported to Lawyers Mutual. Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, under the litigation umbrella, constituted the single practice area with the most reported claims. Missed deadlines breed the most errors. The lack of a good calendari… 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 +

2021 STATE BAR ETHICS OPINIONS The North Carolina State Bar adopted six new ethics opinions in 2021.  These opinions cover a range of topics, including issues that are a regular source of calls to Lawyers Mutual:   2019 FEO 4 – Communications with Judicial Officials (adopted July 2021) This r… Read More +