Why you need this policy: Copyright infringement has become a serious liability risk for law firms: * In 1991, a mid-sized Washington, DC, law firm was sued for $14 million by a publisher. The case was eventually settled but not until after the firm incurred over $1 million in legal fees; * In 1999, a large Wall Street firm settled a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Copyright compliance
Working with lawyers
Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Why you need this policy: Personnel issues are among the most difficult problems faced by law office managers. And few personnel issues are any more difficult than sexual harassment. How this policy helps you: The starting point in managing sexual harassment is to establish a clearly written, specific policy that includes a/an: Policy statement indicating that sexual … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Quarterly feedback from attorneys works well
At one law firm, attorneys fill out a one-page feedback form for their secretaries every quarter. It has just three questions for the attorney to answer: -What the attorney wants the secretary to do more of -What the attorney wants the secretary to do less of -And what should stay the same Each attorney discusses the answers one-on-one with the secretary, and the … [Read more...] about Quarterly feedback from attorneys works well
How to write a readable memo
An office memo has only one purpose, and that is to send a message as quickly and as clearly as possible. Here’s how to do just that. • Use wide margins and spaces between the paragraphs. That makes the page easier to look at, and if it’s easy to look at, people will read it. By contrast, picture a page filled top to bottom with type. Nobody wants to wade through that. • If … [Read more...] about How to write a readable memo
Malpractice claims are on the rise, and here’s why
The threat of malpractice looms larger now than when the country's financial picture was less gloomy. The poor economy is bringing more and different types of suits, says one malpractice insurance carrier. It's due to several reasons, starting with the fact that attorneys are accepting work today that in better times they would have turned down. Swimming in unknown … [Read more...] about Malpractice claims are on the rise, and here’s why
An ever changing policy on using social media
“The reality is that people are going to use social media.” So more than two years ago, the 65-attorney firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein took the position “that we were going to be tuned in to social media to promote business development,” says Frederick J. Esposito, Jr.,CLM, CFO and director of administration at the firm’s New York … [Read more...] about An ever changing policy on using social media
Today’s growing insurance need: EPLI coverage
It’s becoming increasingly necessary for all firms, yet only about 50% have it. It’s employment practices liability insurance. EPLI is coverage for claims brought by disgruntled employees, and in the current “downsizing environment” it’s a necessity, says Uri Gutfreund, specialist in law firm insurance at Singer Nelson Charlmers in New York … [Read more...] about Today’s growing insurance need: EPLI coverage
Retaliation gets broader and more expensive and is hitting all offices
What’s the single greatest employment law risk employers are facing? Retaliation. The EEOC reports that retaliation claims have been on the upswing for 10 years and now sit at the top of the list of employment law matters. Heightening the issue is the fact that an employee can cry retaliation – and the firm can have to pay out a lot of money – even if the complaint … [Read more...] about Retaliation gets broader and more expensive and is hitting all offices