ALPS LEGAL BLOG

3 min read

Why You Never Want to Get Lazy With Your Time Keeping

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Dec 6, 2023 8:00:00 AM

This post is directed toward those of you who fail to accurately record your time on a consistent basis throughout the day, day after day. I know it...

2 min read

Lawyers: Don't Let Clients Make Assumptions About Your Role

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Nov 15, 2023 8:00:00 AM

3 min read

Why It’s Important to Have Attorney Accountability Built Into Your Firm’s Conflict Checking Process

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Oct 18, 2023 10:00:00 AM

What happens in your firm if there’s a hit during a conflicts check? Hopefully, the conflict concern is immediately brought to the attention of the...

16 min read

ALPS In Brief - Episode 73: The Ethical Obligation of Succession Planning

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Sep 20, 2023 10:58:09 AM

7 min read

Why the Use of an Engagement Letter Should Never Be Considered Optional

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Sep 20, 2023 8:00:00 AM

Engagement letters seem to be one of those documents most lawyers intellectually appreciate the value of but often underutilize. This letter simply...

3 min read

How to Avoid Common Co-Counsel Relationship Missteps

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Sep 7, 2023 10:00:00 AM

Co-counsel relationships are sometimes formed “on the fly,” meaning no thorough discussion as to who will be responsible for what ever occurs. This...

6 min read

How to Avoid Common Conflict of Interest Traps

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Aug 2, 2023 10:25:00 AM

Particularly in the solo and small firm setting, conflict missteps are often not a “whoops, we missed that name” kind of thing. More often the...

3 min read

Why It’s Important to Document Scope of Representation

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Aug 1, 2023 10:24:57 AM

I know lawyers get tired of hearing it and risk folk like me get tired of always having to say it; but there is real value in documenting scope of...

3 min read

What Non-Engagement Letters Really Do

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jul 31, 2023 10:24:34 AM

Over the years I have found a real disparity among attorneys as to their willingness to write non-engagement letters. You know the one. It’s that...

16 min read

ALPS In Brief - Episode 70: Don’t Let These Coverage Concerns Surprise You

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jul 13, 2023 1:31:01 PM

3 min read

8 Safeguards to Ensure You Can Trust Your Law Firm Employees

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jun 28, 2023 11:56:53 AM

I continue to be surprised at the number of times I learn that a law firm turned over complete oversight of client property to a non-attorney member...

4 min read

Solo Attorneys: Don't Wait to Figure Out Your Succession Plan

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jun 14, 2023 7:00:00 AM

The two most common excuses I’ve heard over the years for not having a succession plan in place are these. It’s either “my plan is to die at my...

5 min read

7 Ways To Stay Out of Trust Account Trouble

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jun 7, 2023 7:00:00 AM

Trust account problems remain one of the top reasons attorneys are disciplined here in the US. And while there have been and will continue to be...