Professional Liability Matters

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December 18, 2014 • Law Practice Management, Professional Liability Matters

My Colleague’s Keeper – Benefits & Pitfalls of Law Firm Structures (Part II)

Monitoring Matters: In the first portion of this series, we examined how a recent New Jersey case highlighted the benefits of the law firm structure. Next we explore the risks, and responsibilities, of a supervising attorney at a law firm. Often, a good team is the most critical component of producing excellent services. A well-trained, productive, and properly supervised staff is undoubtedly an asset, but delegating to your team can present its own challenges. With this in mind, it is important for any attorney with supervisory capacity to keep a close eye on co-workers for, under the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the attorney remains liable for the ultimate work product.

December 17, 2014 • Employment Practices Liability, Professional Liability Matters

NLRB: Limiting Limits on Employee E-mails

If you frequent Professional Liability Matters than you’ve heard us rant about the importance of up-to-date computer use policies. An employee’s use of workplace computers and other company provided devices may trigger employer liability. As a result, employers must be careful to tailor policies that protect the employer but don’t go too far. It may be tempting for an employer to consider an outright ban of non-work related e-mail use by employees. Tempting, maybe, but improper according to the NLRB. The NLRB’s recent decision very well could have major implications on an employer’s right to restrict employee e-mail communications.

December 15, 2014 • General, Professional Liability Matters

New Reinsurance Deskbook from Thomson Reuters and DRI Features Thomas Segalla as Editor, Seven Goldberg Segalla Contributors

Goldberg Segalla founding partner Thomas F. Segalla led the team of lawyers who wrote the inaugural edition of the Reinsurance Professional’s Deskbook: A Practical Guide, a new treatise co-produced by leading legal publisher Thomson Reuters and DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar, the largest organization of defense lawyers in the country.

December 11, 2014 • Advertising, Ethics, Professional Liability Matters

Advertising Via Text is :(

We work in a competitive environment in which professionals seek various methods to reach would-be clients. Social media and other electronic resources may help professionals to connect and establish the brand. But, your friends at PL Matters routinely warn of the risks of new marketing methods that may infringe upon applicable ethics rules. A New York law firm recently learned that unsolicited text messaging may constitute improper advertising.

December 10, 2014 • Law Practice Management, Professional Liability Matters

My Colleague’s Keeper – Benefits & Pitfalls of Law Firm Structures

There are many benefits to working in a professional firm including the ability to collaborate and seek support from colleagues. Teamwork amongst colleagues may improve efficiency, innovation, flexibility and branding. But, through the doctrine of vicarious liability, a professional may be liable for her colleague’s conduct in certain situations. There are various corporate models intended in part at protecting an individual for corporate (mis)conduct. But these models are not bulletproof. A recent New Jersey decision emphasizes the double-edged nature of practice in a professional corporation in the context of a multi-attorney law firm. In light of this case, we took a closer look at the benefits and risks of attorney partnerships.

December 9, 2014 • Cyber-Liability, Director and Officer Liability, Professional Liability Matters

Cyber Liability in the C-Suite

Everything is electronic. Companies are increasingly reliant on electronic processes to obtain and store valuable customer data, confidential, privileged and proprietary information. With that increased reliance comes the increased risk that this information can be compromised. In light of many recent high-profile data breaches, litigation surrounding data and privacy protection is increasing. A side effect of this litigation is the attention now paid to the role of boards of directors in managing and responding to cyber liability risks. Boards concerned about potential liability of its officers and directors can look to two recent sources for guidance on this issue.

December 2, 2014 • Employment Practices Liability, Professional Liability Matters, Risk Management

Tis the Season of Gift Giving (Policies)

Whether it’s a fruit basket from a vendor or an employee gift exchange, it’s that time of year when the approaching holidays can stir up a frenzy of gift giving in the office. Many companies find themselves struggling to define what is appropriate, fair and festive when it comes to holiday gift giving. Certainly no one wants to be a Grinch, but creating a clear gift policy ahead of time is an easy way to avoid controversy and liability. Consider the following tips when creating a company gift policy.

December 1, 2014 • Law Practice Management, Professional Liability Matters, Risk Management

Paralegal Power! Appropriate Delegation = Client Satisfaction

The practice of law is changing. In particular, as a result of modern technology, attorneys’ reliance upon support staff is not what it used to be. This has impacted the role of paralegals, members of a dwindling field. Indeed, according to the 2012 Survey of Law Firm Economics, the average number of paralegals per law firm has dipped by over 30%. However, paralegals still play an important role in a law firm. If utilized effectively, paralegals have proven to be invaluable players who provide a key service to clients.

November 21, 2014 • Employment Practices Liability, Professional Liability Matters

The Dangers of Using Social Media in Hiring

Hiring a new employee is a major investment. Not surprisingly, many professionals utilize social media to screen potential candidates prior to making a hiring decision. Social media can help to confirm a candidate’s professional qualifications and provide insight whether the candidate is a good fit. At the same time, some employers may use social media to identify potential reasons to reject a candidate, such as posting compromising photographs or making inappropriate statements. Employers may feel justified in disqualifying a candidate based on their social media activity; however, doing so for the wrong reasons could violate a candidate’s rights and give rise to liability.

November 19, 2014 • Ethics, Professional Liability Matters

When and How to Report Ethics Violations

The legal profession is somewhat unique in that it permits self-policing. An attorney has an obligation to report misconduct; however, a threat to report misconduct may itself run afoul of the ethical rules. At issue are at least two competing rules of professional conduct. We all want to make sure attorneys, as a group, are fighting cleanly, but these competing rules present a dilemma. How to know when, if, and how to report?