law practice management

5 min read

True Stories & Tips for Law Firm Splits, Dissolutions, and Attorney Departures

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Feb 6, 2025

I have three stories to share, but first a reminder of what tail coverage is and isn’t. Sometimes after hearing good things about ALPS, a lawyer will...

5 min read

Relief Isn’t Always Spelled R-O-L-A-I-D-S. Sometimes, It’s Spelled D-E-L-E-G-A-T-E!

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Feb 5, 2025

Years ago, an extended family member didn’t file his personal tax return yet again. Don’t misunderstand me, every year a tax return is prepared. He...

4 min read

Procrastination’s Dark Side

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Nov 20, 2024

I have a confession to make. I am a procrastinator. If there is a Procrastinator’s Anonymous, I’m pretty sure they would accept me as a card-carrying...

3 min read

AI in the Legal Industry: How Do Lawyers Feel?

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Oct 17, 2024

ALPS recently surveyed legal industry professionals to learn more about how solo and small firm lawyers feel about the use of generative AI in the...

4 min read

Is It Risky to Agree to Do Pro Bono Work?

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Aug 7, 2024

If you're hesitant to do pro bono work based upon a belief that this type of work is risky, I'm here to say "not necessarily!" To understand why,...

3 min read

Corporate Transparency Act Risks for Solo & Small Firm Attorneys - A Risk Manager’s Perspective

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jun 19, 2024

I’m sure this will come as no surprise; but as a risk manager with a law degree who works for a malpractice insurance company, I’m not one who...

3 min read

Why You Never Want to Set the Comfort Trap

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jun 5, 2024

My experience consulting over the years with thousands of attorneys who practice in firms of all shapes and sizes across the U.S. has taught me that...

5 min read

How to Build and Maintain Effective Attorney-Client Relationships

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: May 15, 2024

A number of years ago I had an interesting conversation with a lawyer who had missed a statute of limitations filing deadline on a significant...

14 min read

ALPS In Brief - Episode 82: How to Build and Maintain a Strong Legal Practice

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Apr 17, 2024

5 min read

5 Reasons Solo Firms Fail

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Apr 10, 2024

While law firms of all shapes and sizes can fail for any number of reasons, in my experience as a risk manager, there are a few reasons that solo law...

2 min read

Why You Should Never Minimize the Significance of Client Driven Indemnity Provisions

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Apr 2, 2024

I continue to get the occasional call from a lawyer wanting to know my thoughts about a new business opportunity. It’s a call that often starts out...

3 min read

3 Examples of Legal Malpractice Causes and Suggested Safeguards

Stacey Smith Claims Manager: Mar 20, 2024

We at ALPS have talked for many years about safeguards to implement to protect your firm (and your clients!) from a potential disaster. Although...