Posted February 15, 2017 by Ian Hu

Understanding cognitive biases can help reduce communication-related claims, which are the biggest source of malpractice claims. While many cognitive biases are dealt with by following some common sense principles, others are not as obvious. From anchoring effect to decision fatigue, knowing how your client makes decisions can help you build rapport with your clients, effectively… Read More »

Posted February 14, 2017 by Nora Rock

The last time you bought a house or searched for a rental apartment, how did you choose, and how did you feel about your choice afterward? Psychologists studying the relationship between how we make choices and our life satisfaction have found that those who put the greatest effort into making choices are rewarded with less… Read More »

Posted February 13, 2017 by Ian Hu

LawPRO reminds lawyers that on a rolling basis beginning January 1, 2017, matters commenced on or after January 1, 2012 will be automatically dismissed five years after they were commenced. Remember, the courts will dismiss actions without sending notices of any type to parties or their lawyers. Update internal firm systems to tickle all relevant… Read More »

Posted February 10, 2017 by Victoria Crewe-Nelson

There are different types of risks that can lead to claims against lawyers: those that develop from errors or omissions, those that arise through intentional wrongdoing, and those that lawyers willingly accept for themselves. A lawyer’s professional indemnity (E&O) policy is intended to respond to claims arising from a lawyer’s error, omission or negligent act… Read More »

Posted February 8, 2017 by Tim Lemieux

In the early days of email, one of the common bits of productivity advice was “turn off your inbox notifications.” The “You’ve Got Mail” sound or pop-up was a constant source of distraction while trying to get work done. Even with the advent of smartphones that advice was still mostly good enough. The phone meant… Read More »

Posted February 6, 2017 by LAWPRO

Regardless of their reasons for choosing a legal education, today’s young lawyers can expect that their experiences practising law will be different from depictions of the profession they witnessed growing up. The future of law is no longer your mother’s, father’s, or Hollywood lawyer’s practice. The 2017 student issue of LAWPRO Magazine explores what this… Read More »

Posted February 2, 2017 by Tim Lemieux

Lawyers in all areas of practice continue to be the frequent targets of bad cheque scams. These scams involve debt collections, business loans, IP licensing disputes or spousal support payments. While it appears Ontario lawyers are increasingly aware of these frauds, occasionally some are being duped into disbursing funds on a bad cheque they have… Read More »

Posted February 1, 2017 by Nora Rock

Though the rate of malpractice claims flowing from criminal cases is lower than in other areas of law, the number of claims in this area is on the rise of late, and for many of the same reasons we see in other areas. The most important cause? Issues with lawyer-client communication. An area of particular… Read More »