Put Into Practice Newsletter
January 2021
Features
Jay Reeves, author
Break Some Crayons to Brighten Your Law Life
My father had a story he loved to tell at the start of every new year.

The story is about an Art Specialist named Miss Carsten, a box of broken crayons, and how something that at first looked like a mess turned out to be amazing.
Avoiding Equitable Distribution and Alimony Claims

Since joining Lawyers Mutual in late 1989, I have primarily monitored real estate related claims. Several years ago, it was determined the claims attorneys at LML should handle more than just their primary area as backup.
Practice Points with Mark Scruggs: Alias or Pluries Summons – A Mistake Waiting to Happen

A common mistake we see at Lawyers Mutual is a break in the chain of Alias or Pluries (“A&P”) summonses that gives rise to a statute of limitations defense as to the defendant not properly served.
Laura Loyek to lead the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys (NCAWA)

Lawyers Mutual is pleased to announce and celebrate Claims Attorney, Laura Loyek, as she begins a term as President of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys (NCAWA). Laura has been an active member with the NCAWA since 2010 and with the Lawyers Mutual Claims Team for 12 years.
Don’t Sign on the Dotted Line – Unless You’re the Client

We’ve all been there: you’ve been mediating all day, it’s 5:30 p.m. (or later), the parties just (finally) came to terms, and everyone is ready to go home. The mediator whips out a form, jots down the basic terms of the settlement, and hands you the form. You reach for your pen, and then ask yourself, “Shouldn’t my client be the one signing this?”
Can Lawyers Mutual Assist with Your Accounting Needs?

Lawyers Mutual, and its subsidiary, Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services, seeks your input. As we continue to think about how to best serve our insureds, we are considering a partnership or investment that would provide accounting services.

Please take less than 5 minutes to respond to a survey that will help us understand whether this is a service our insureds would need or want. The survey was emailed on January 11 – be on the lookout in your email inbox or click the link below to take the survey now. Thank you for your time!
NC Updates
Chief Justice Paul Newby Issues Emergency Directives on COVID-19

Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order containing emergency directives related to COVID-19. The order replaces the expired order issued on December 14, 2020, and is effective today, January 14, 2021.

In this new order, Chief Justice Newby has allowed several of the emergency directives in the December 14, 2020 order to expire because they concern matters best decided at the local level.
About NCLIP
Interview candidates from all NC law schools virtually!
Are you in need of new associates or summer clerks? The North Carolina Law School Consortium's annual interview program offers firms of 25 or fewer attorneys, government & public interest organizations, and companies with in-house legal departments the opportunity to interview students from all of North Carolina's six law schools.
 
Employers are able to review resumes in advance and pre-select candidates for interviews.
 
How to Register
Participation is free for all employers
 
The deadline to register is Friday, January 15, 2021. To register for either program, please visit our Symplicity website.
 
Username: your email address
Password: click "Forgot Password" to set your password.
Friday, February 19, 2021
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Location: Virtual
North Carolina Law School Consortium
Questions?
Employer Registrar:
UNC School of Law
919.962.0280
 
NCLIP Chair:
Wake Forest University School of Law
336.758.4005
Risk Management Spotlight
Estate Planning Traps

This publication addresses some of the malpractice traps waiting to snarl estate planning attorneys. A common thread throughout the claims asserted against attorneys is poor communication and misunderstandings with clients. Much of this can be avoided by spending sufficient time with clients to ensure that they are well-informed, understand their options, and feel that you have listened and provided valuable assistance to them regarding their estate planning goals.
Upcoming Events
Put Into Practice: Risk Management Tips for Your Law Firm Virtual CLE

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!

Program:

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
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