14 min read
ALPS In Brief Podcast - Episode 78: Succession Planning & Selecting a Backup Attorney
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jan 11, 2024
4 min read
What You Need to Know Before Applying for Your 1st Malpractice Insurance Policy
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jan 4, 2024
Here at ALPS, we do try our absolute best to make sure the application process is as seamless and convenient as possible. That said, if you have a...
2 min read
New Hampshire Bar Association endorses ALPS Insurance
Rio Laine, Director of Strategic Partnerships: Dec 4, 2023
We are thrilled to announce that as of December 1st, 2023, The New Hampshire Bar Association (NHBA) has named ALPS Insurance as an endorsed provider...
3 min read
Lawyers: Don't Let Clients Make Assumptions About Your Role
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Nov 15, 2023
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
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...
7 min read
Why the Use of an Engagement Letter Should Never Be Considered Optional
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Sep 20, 2023
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
Co-counsel relationships are sometimes formed “on the fly,” meaning no thorough discussion as to who will be responsible for whatever occurs. This...
6 min read
How to Avoid Common Conflict of Interest Traps
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Aug 2, 2023
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
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
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...
3 min read
8 Safeguards to Ensure You Can Trust Your Law Firm Employees
Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jun 28, 2023
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
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
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...