Effective Email Communication
Effective communication with your client is key to avoiding claims. The Lawyer’s Insurance Association of Nova Scotia (LIANS) has compiled several useful communication tips on their website.
Do You Need Excess Insurance?
Excess insurance provides another layer of security should your defence and indemnity costs exceed the primary mandatory limits. As the value of client’s transactions increases over time, so too does the need to secure adequate levels of Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance. One large claim could quickly erode the primary policy, leaving you or your firm exposed to significant personal liability.
The 7 C’s of Effective Communication
Failure to communicate effectively with clients is the common factor in a large percentage of errors and omissions claims. The Lawyer’s Insurance Association of Nova Scotia (LIANS) has compiled several useful communication tips on their website.
From the Vault: CLIA Loss Prevention Bulletin #208: Malpractice Avoidance – Some Friendly Reminders
At the spring 2012 American Bar Association Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability National Legal Malpractice Conference, Ronald C. Minkoff, Laura Frankel, Richard A. Simpson and Robert H. Moses presented a session on professional liability claims arising out of a family law practice.
Passing of Former CLIA Board member, Phyllis A. Smith KC
It recently came to our attention that Phyllis A. Smith, KC , former CLIA Board Member, passed away.
To Take a File or Not Take a File
Before Samuel Teichroew went to law school, he met with Barney Christianson to talk about rural legal practice.
We Listened! Voluntary Excess Program Renewal Opening Early - May 1
Each year, CLIA receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from our Voluntary Excess Program (VEP) customers about the ease of our renewal process.
Course: Mental Health and Wellness in the Legal Profession
CLIA recognizes the importance of promoting wellness for the profession. Courses designed to help lawyers recognize the symptoms of mental health issues in their colleagues and themselves, and that offer supports and treatment options are invaluable.
Cyber Employee Awareness Training
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:
Understanding Your Cyber Coverage
Recently, we had the privilege of providing an overview of CLIA’s Cyber Coverage to Saskatchewan lawyers at the CBA Saskatchewan Mid-Winter Meeting. Now we’d like to make sure the lawyers in our other Subscriber jurisdictions understand what cyber coverage they have under the Mandatory Cyber insurance program, the eligibility requirements for this coverage and that excess cyber coverage is available.
Hacked Email Fraud Alert
CLIA Subscriber jurisdictions continue to see claims involving hacked emails. This is also known as social engineering - where fraudulent electronic communications or websites designed to impersonate you or your firm cause you damage.
Roundup: Time Management Tips
As previously noted in our post on limitation periods, Roundup: Avoiding Missed Limitation Periods, human error and inadequate office systems are two of the reasons lawyers miss deadlines, including limitation period. Improving time management skills can help.
Recent BC Case Highlights Dangers of Generative AI
The recent Supreme Court of British Columbia decision, Zhang v. Chen, 2024 BCSC 285, highlights the danger in relying on generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for legal research. The lawyer in this case relied upon two non-existent cases, which were discovered subsequently to have been invented by ChatGPT.
Generative AI Guidance
With the explosion of Generative AI and the subsequent confusion and misuse by lawyers, several useful resources have been created to assist lawyers to better understand how lawyers can incorporate AI into their practice and professional responsibility considerations.
Roundup: Avoiding Missed Limitation Periods
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, we’ve compiled resources developed by our Subscribers and Partners. While some of the resources included below may be jurisdiction specific, there are more general useful tips throughout to help you avoid missing limitation periods no matter your jurisdiction. If you’re aware of any other useful resources or tips, please let us know!
Learn More About the CLIA Team
Canadian law societies protect the public by requiring each lawyer to maintain one million dollars in errors and omissions insurance. Initially each law society purchased insurance from the private market. During a hard insurance market in the mid-1980s, premiums increased dramatically. In 1988, law societies could not purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance for members.
Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Canadian Legal Profession
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada recently developed an online learning program to provide guidance to legal professionals on how to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks and comply with their legal and regulatory obligations.
CLIA Board Chair Report 2023
I am once again putting pen to paper (fingers to keys actually) to reflect on the year that has just passed at CLIA and to brag about our successes, apologize for our failures and generally whine about the things that annoy me!
Bell Let’s Talk
Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day. In 2010, Bell Let’s Talk began a new conversation about Canada’s mental health. The goal of the day is to engage an open discussion about mental illness, and offer new ideas and hope for those who struggle.
Fraud Alert Roundup
Through notifications received by our Subscribers and partners, we aim to alert you about the most recent frauds against members of the profession.