This is it. 2020 is almost over and we look forward to 2021 with hope that it will bring a return to normalcy rather than magnify the crazy year we have just had! The New Year is a time of new beginnings, creating resolutions, and enjoying the chance for a fresh start. What are your cybersecurity resolutions for 2021?

State Bar Grievances and maybe even malpractice claims can be avoided with a good intake interview. Disagreements often arise between lawyer and client because the client has unrealistic expectations about what can be accomplished by the lawyer. A successful intake interview can be used to set realistic expectations.

The NC State Bar Ethics Committee recently approved five proposed opinions for review, now published in the winter edition of the State Bar Journal. In addition, the Ethics Committee agreed to send a proposed Preamble amendment regarding discriminatory conduct to a subcommittee for further study. The Ethics Committee and State Bar Councilors welcome feedback on these five published proposals. Comments received by close of business on Tuesday, December 22nd will be submitted to the Ethics Committee for review at its January 2021 meeting. You may send comments to ethicscomments@ncbar.gov.

“There are 14 million open child support cases across the country. And seven million of those women are walking away and leaving their money on the table because the system is too hard to navigate,” said Simone Spence, who was one of those parents 25 years ago.

A single mother with a 4-year-old, she was working as a newspaper columnist and having trouble paying her bills because her ex-husband was not paying his child support. She got mad. Then she set out to get paid.

Relationships with clients are the backbone of the attorney’s practice. Satisfied clients refer friends and return for repeat business because they trust the lawyer. Developing procedures for creating satisfied clients and avoiding clients who will never be satisfied are crucial for a successful law firm. Check out this Guide to help foster habits that keep clients satisfied. As we approach a new year, what better time to assess your law firm’s preparedness for disasters and other emergencies.

Is your law practice prepared for unexpected events such as an illness or accident that could cause you to abruptly cease practicing law? Whether you plan to close a law practice or need to secure an “assisting attorney” as official back-up, this Guide is intended to assist you in planning for an orderly transfer of responsibility for your clients’ affairs in the event of a crisis in your life.

Join us for our annual Put Into Practice CLE -- no travel, just virtual!

We are thrilled to once again offer our annual FREE CLE series. While we greatly value our in-person programs in your cities and towns, like you with your law practices, we adjusted our plans to protect the community. With our virtual programs, we look forward to connecting with everyone from Cherokee to Chocowinity!

Attorney-Client Privilege, Confidentiality, and the Work Product Doctrine: Traps for the Inattentive Lawyer by Mark Scruggs and Warren Savage, Senior Claims Attorneys, Lawyers Mutual

The One That Got Away: A Guide to NOT Being Phished by Patrick Brown, VP-Enterprise/Operational Risk Management, Lawyers Mutual

The Resilience Library™ by Renee Branson, Principal, RB Consulting