Most managers are skilled at preventing discrimination claims. But few pay close enough attention to the financial damage that retaliation, resulting from a discrimination claim, can have on a practice. The reality is that retaliation claims have a higher rate of success than discrimination claims. Retaliation claims not limited to victims Retaliation is any adverse action … [Read more...] about Protect yourself and your firm with a strong anti-retaliation policy
Risk management
Even law offices should think twice before going to court
By Steve M. Cohen bio One of the most difficult challenges I face can be helping office managers and owners or partners resist an urge to "fight it out" in court. There are times when it is necessary to take legal action or aggressively defend action against your organization. But in most cases, it should be your last resort. You may not win the fight … [Read more...] about Even law offices should think twice before going to court
The opportunities, concerns, and challenges related to adopting cloud services
According to the New Jersey Institute of Technology, by 2017 two-thirds of all workload will be processed in cloud data centers. Will your firm’s workload be there? Or are you hesitating due to concerns about security, compliance, or management of the services? This infographic created by NJIT’s Online Masters in Computer Science outlines the scale of cloud services and the … [Read more...] about The opportunities, concerns, and challenges related to adopting cloud services
Two quick tips from a cybersecurity expert
By John W. Simek bio 1. You are the product: default settings to “steal” your privacy data It amazes me that nobody seems to read the terms of service or the permission settings when installing software or configuring devices. In this day of instant gratification it seems as though the normal actions are click, click, click on the “I accept” button. That seems to be what … [Read more...] about Two quick tips from a cybersecurity expert
Model Tool: Client privacy policy
Why you need this policy: As with any other corporate website, law office websites collect and use personal information of site visitors, including "personally identifiable" information, i.e., names and other information that can be traced back to a specific individual. Such use and collection of personal information is subject to requirements under privacy laws. How this … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Client privacy policy
Model Tool: Calendar control self-review checklist
Why you need this checklist: Failure to meet a deadline, such as a statute of limitations, and other related calendaring issues continue to be the cause of the majority of legal malpractice claims in the United States. Yet despite this risk, many law firms still do not have a proper calendaring system in place. How this checklist helps you: This checklist will help you … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Calendar control self-review checklist
Just common sense can ward off disciplinary and malpractice actions
Any attorney's career can be ruined for failure to follow the simplest rules of communication and ethics, says Allison L. Wood, principal of Legal Ethics Consulting, a Chicago company that counsels firms on avoiding disciplinary and malpractice issues. Wood was formerly a prosecutor in attorney disciplinary matters, and she has seen first-hand attorneys "in the tragic position … [Read more...] about Just common sense can ward off disciplinary and malpractice actions
Critical Mass—Not Just for Physics Anymore
By Steve M. Cohen bio While most of us have a limited understanding of physics, we have an idea of what "critical mass" means. But just in case you need a refresher: When you reach a sufficient and/or necessary level of something to effect something else, you have critical mass. For our purposes, forget the physical aspect and think about your organization. Do you … [Read more...] about Critical Mass—Not Just for Physics Anymore
Workplace violence: A 10-step prevention and liability management plan
You don't need us to tell you that violence in the workplace has become a major societal problem. You probably also recognize that taking steps to keep violence out of your own workplace is not only a moral but a legal imperative. But what you may not know is exactly how to go about preventing workplace violence. And that's why we created this 10-step plan for you (as well as a … [Read more...] about Workplace violence: A 10-step prevention and liability management plan
5 ways your firm can be liable for workplace violence
Failure to prevent an act of violence from occurring at your workplace can result in your law firm being held liable under one or more of the following five laws: 1. U.S. OSHA The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn't have a specific regulation or "standard" for workplace violence the way it does for other workplace hazards like chemicals, … [Read more...] about 5 ways your firm can be liable for workplace violence