13 min read
ALPS In Brief - Episode 68: The Unnecessary Burdens of Growing Up in the Witness Protection Program
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Mar 16, 2023
2 min read
Joint Representation Conflict Waivers – Why You Can't Have It Both Ways
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Mar 15, 2023
An estate planning firm asked me to review several sample Consent to Joint Representation forms they were using with their clients; and what I found...
6 min read
How to Avoid the Legal Fee Suit Counterclaim
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Mar 8, 2023
You finish a client matter. You feel good about the quality of your work, and you are pleased that you got such a good result for your client. Then,...
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5 min read
Don't Underestimate the Importance of Closure Letters
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Mar 1, 2023
Over the years, I have found that the use of closure letters varies greatly, not only between firms, but even between attorneys practicing at the...
3 min read
How to Make the Right Impression When Applying for Malpractice Insurance
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Feb 8, 2023
Of course, a malpractice insurance underwriter will review everything a law firm submits in its application and obviously a great deal can be learned...
5 min read
Lawyers: How and Why to Implement a Business Plan to Guide Your Firm
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jan 18, 2023
Successful businesses of all shapes and sizes often take time once a year or so to review and update their mission statement, strategic plan, and...
3 min read
Ask the Right Questions When Shopping for Malpractice Insurance
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Dec 21, 2022
Every one of us has heard the pitches. “Bigger is better.” “We’ve been in business for over 100 years so we’re the one company you can trust.” “We’ve...
4 min read
Passive Management: Is Your Law Firm Lacking Leadership?
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Dec 14, 2022
After having consulted with over twelve hundred law firms over the years, trust me when I say that more than a few small law firms around the country...
17 min read
ALPS In Brief - Episode 67: Going "Solo" in the Wilderness with Callie Russell
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Dec 8, 2022
What does herding goats, surviving 3 months in the Canadian tundra, and eating porcupines have to do with practicing law? In this episode, Mark sits...
7 min read
Insuring the Business Risks of a Law Practice
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Nov 30, 2022
While certain business risks can be unpleasant to think about and others are all too easy to minimize; unexpected things can and do happen, even to...
4 min read
How to Stop Having to Write and Send Declination Letters
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Nov 9, 2022
Declination letters, also referred to as non-engagement letters, are those letters that say, “thanks, but no.” Some lawyers use them religiously and...
3 min read
Can Lawyers Use Apps Like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal?
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Nov 2, 2022
As with so many tech decisions lawyers face, the answer is yes, as long as any associated ethical issues are identified and responsibly addressed....
3 min read
Do Lawyers Need to Be Concerned About Deepfakes?
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Oct 18, 2022
The short answer is yes, everyone does; but the reason lawyers need to be concerned requires a longer explanation. What is a deepfake? The word...