Introducing ALIA.ca: ALIA launches revamped website with simplified navigation

ALIA bids farewell to two longtime Board Directors, welcomes new Board Chair

Avoiding Malpractice Traps

Resource courtesy of Lawyers Mutual of North Carolina

ALIA endeavours to provide high quality and helpful educational materials to its Subscribers while maintaining the lowest levies reasonably possible. To achieve this balance, in addition to creating its own resources, ALIA seeks out the best materials created by other lawyer indemnity/insurance programs that it can provide to Subscribers at little or no cost. 

If you are aware of a good resource that should be shared with your colleagues, please let us know.

Today, ALIA is highlighting Avoiding Malpractice Traps, a risk management handout originally published by Lawyers Mutual of North Carolina, which maintains the copyright in the handbook while allowing Alberta lawyers to use – but not reproduce – its contents. ALIA gratefully acknowledges and thanks Lawyers Mutual of North Carolina.

Avoiding Malpractice Traps includes helpful information and tips on Missed Litigation Deadlines, Real Property Errors, Substantive Errors in Family Law, and much more. It also includes quick hits like:

Ways to Foster Good Client Relations

1. Put in writing the terms of your retainer agreement.
2. Don’t create unrealistic expectations.
3. Keep the client informed of the status of their case.
4. Send the client a copy of all meaningful correspondence, including memoranda, pleadings, and briefs.
5. Return all phone calls promptly.
6. Be on time for meetings.
7. Protect client confidentiality and train your staff to do the same.
8. Choose your clients wisely.  

Download your new Cyber Coverage Certificate

The last thing you want to be doing when you are hit with a cyber attack is scrambling to find the paperwork for your insurance – especially if your computer is out of commission.

ALIA recommends you login to the Lawyer Portal now and print copies of the following documents, so they are easily accessible in the event of a claim:

• the claims reporting protocol
• the claim report form
• your new Cyber Coverage Certificate

Beazley Canada Limited – the insurer for ALIA’s Universal Cyber Coverage Program – will request your certificate as part of the claims process. The certificate refers to a Subscriber’s law firm as listed in the Law Society of Alberta’s records. Subscribers should review their certificates to ensure their law firm is current. If your certificate does not refer to your current firm, please contact ALIA for assistance.

Visit ALIA’s new website to read more about the Universal Cyber Coverage Program

ALIA does not provide legal advice. ALIAdvisory newsletters, ALIAlert warnings, ALIAction notices and the content on ALIA’s website, notices, blogs, correspondence and any other communications are provided for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. This information is not a replacement for specific legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship.

ALIA may provide links to third-party websites. Links are provided for convenience only; ALIA does not vet or endorse the information contained in linked websites or guarantee its accuracy, timeliness or fitness for a particular purpose.

If you believe you have been targeted by potentially fraudulent activity, please contact ALIAlert.