Not So Risky Business: First Year in Review
The Not So Risky Business blog launched November 30th, 2023 with our aptly named post, Welcome to the CLIA Blog. That introductory post promised that each Wednesday you could expect an informative post on topics to better help you manage your practice, avoid errors and better understand your insurance coverage needs. We hope through our 66 posts this year that we delivered on that promise.
First 24 Hours : Effectively Responding to a Cyber Attack
Responding to a cyber attack can be challenging for any organization. It can be particularly devastating for a law firm given the confidential nature of the data it holds about its clients. While the operational, financial and legal impacts flowing from a cyber attack can be quantified, the reputational impact is more difficult to ascertain and arguably, more pronounced for a law firm given the “trust” relationship lawyers have with their clients.
Follow Up to the Importance of Early Reporting
In follow up to the October 9, 2024 CLIA article “Importance of Early Reporting” by Melanie Hodges Neufeld, we write this note in our capacity as Practice Advisors with the Law Society of Saskatchewan (“LSS”). For a number of decades, the LSS has had the Practice Advisor Program.
Missed Limitation Periods: Claim Examples and Resources
Missed limitation periods continues to be one of the most common claims areas for CLIA Subscriber jurisdictions. Some reasons for missing a limitation period are inadequate office systems, human error and applying the wrong legislation. To help avoid these claims in the future, here are three examples of real claims:
Bite Size CPD Series: Recent Videos
For over three years, the Law Society of Saskatchewan has developed the Bite Size CPD Series. These informative under-10-minute video episodes cover a variety of topics and are available for all to view on the Law Society website. A new episode is released each Thursday.
New Lawyer’s Guide to Avoiding Mistakes: Dear Diary
A lawyer’s diary system can be a critical tool for organization and practice management. While we are encouraged from a very early point in practice, usually during articling, to begin using a diary system to track our work, many young lawyers find themselves unsure of what to track in their diary, why it is so important, and what type of diary system to implement for their practice.
Considering Excess Coverage?
Did you know that new customers to our Voluntary Excess Program (VEP) can apply for coverage anytime? While the policy period for the VEP runs from July 1st to June 30th, new applications can be received throughout the year. Applications submitted after July 31st will be prorated. Note: Cyber coverage cannot be prorated.
The Wellness Docket: You’re Not The Only One Struggling To Lead in a Modern Law Firm - Why Running a Law Firm Is So Difficult
This summer I attended an executive education program for law firm leaders at Harvard Law School’s Center for the Legal Profession. The audience was made up of lawyers from all law firm sizes, all different practice areas and from fifteen different countries. It was enlightening to see how despite all our differences, we struggled with the same issues as leaders: the mental health of our people (including our own), difficulties managing through change and managing workplaces with multiple generations chief among them. My main personal focus throughout the program was on how I could use what we had learned to improve mental health in legal workplaces.
Meet Our New Board Member: Catherine Gaulton
Catherine Gaulton has joined our Board to replace outgoing Board member, Allan Fineblit. She serves as the CEO and Attorney-in-Fact for the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC).
The Value of Practice Advisors in Reducing Claims
Practice advisor programs are administered and strongly supported by many of our subscribing law societies. There is good reason for this. The experienced practitioners providing practice advice or reviews are often the ‘first line of defence’ to mitigate practice issues. As noted by the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Cyber Security Awareness Month
Cyber Security Awareness Month is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to help the public learn about the importance of cyber security. In Canada, the campaign is led by Get Cyber Safe, a Government of Canada initiative. Check out the Get Cyber Safe website for resources to help inform you about cyber security and the steps you can take to protect yourself online. Resources include:
CLIA Online Loss Prevention Repository – Communications
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention and we take a proactive approach to avoiding claims. CLIA acts as a central hub for our subscribers by offering one-stop-shopping for those who need a quick source of loss prevention resources. Our Loss Prevention Online Repository houses a collection of links to numerous checklists, tips, articles and guides created by our subscribers and partners.
Importance of Early Reporting
We can’t stress enough the importance of early reporting of a claim or potential claim. Your CLIA Policy and Code of Professional Conduct require you to report a claim or potential claim as soon as practicable after learning of a claim or becoming aware of circumstances that might give rise to a claim, however unmeritorious. Failure to report in a timely fashion can jeopardize your coverage. Late reporting also makes the handling and resolution of a claim more difficult.
Bite Size CPD Series: Practice Management Technology Series
For over three years, the Law Society of Saskatchewan has developed the Bite Size CPD Series. These informative under-10-minute video episodes cover a variety of topics and are available for all to view on the Law Society website. A new episode is released each Thursday.
From the Vault: Caution: Friends and Family Ahead
Lawyers often report a potential insurance claim on a matter they have taken on for a friend or relative. These are among the most embarrassing claims for the lawyer and among the most difficult to defend for the insurer.
Fake Websites
People occasionally contact the Law Society about fraudulent websites using the names of real Manitoba law firms or actual Manitoba lawyers, without the knowledge or consent of those lawyers.
Multifactor Authentication
As noted in our post, Understanding Your Cyber Coverage, minimum standards must be in place in order for you to be eligible under the Mandatory Cyber Program. This includes:
Lawyer Sabbaticals: A way to reduce burnout and errors?
Much has been written about the poor mental health among members of the legal professions. I have been speaking and writing about finding possible systemic solutions to this problem – one which I have suffered from personally.
Post Roundup: Generative AI
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention. We take a proactive approach to avoiding claims and developed a Loss Prevention Strategic Plan to more focus our energies on helping lawyers find the loss prevention resources they need. In case you missed it, here is a collection of Generative AI posts to help you better manage your practice and avoid errors:
Post Roundup: Fraud
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention. We take a proactive approach to avoiding claims and developed a Loss Prevention Strategic Plan to more focus our energies on helping lawyers find the loss prevention resources they need. In case you missed it, here is a collection of fraud alert posts to help you better manage your practice and avoid errors: