Trends with Legal Malpractice Cases: Pitfalls and Conflict Issues Out of Stock
CBA-CLE Connect Program
Quantity
December 2017
Trends with Legal Malpractice Cases: Pitfalls and Conflict Issues
Program Description
Overall, the number of new malpractice claims brought against Colorado attorneys has grown on a year-over-year basis. The most frequently alleged malpractice error is conflict of interest, followed by procedural errors. In addition, legal malpractice claim severity remains high. This program will detail the current legal malpractice claims trends and how conflicts of interest (real or perceived) complicate the defense of a matter. Attorneys will learn how to void pitfalls which lead to malpractice claims and practice procedures to reduce their exposures. The program will address effective client communication, client selection and avoiding the problem client, clients’ screening beyond the conflicts check, and how to document files to add the defense of malpractice law suit. A portion of the program will be interactive and allow attendees to participate in a question and answer session.
MEET YOUR PRESENTERS:
Christopher Buckman, holds a B.A. in Economics and Management from DePauw University and a M.B.A. from University of Colorado. He is a Colorado native. In 1992, he joined Sedgwick of CO which was subsequently purchased by Marsh & McLennan. For over 20 years, Chris held the responsibility for the program management of the Colorado Bar Association’s endorsed Lawyers Professional Liability Program, several other non-sponsored lawyers’ professional liability programs and Schwab’s I-A-Solutions Investment Advisor Errors and Omission Program. He has developed professional liability and property/casualty programs for such professions as accountants, architects and engineers, mutual funds and investment advisors. He has created and implemented marketing plans with various underwriting partners to achieve profitable premium growth. In addition, he has held significant underwriting authority for lawyer’s professional liability programs insured by CNA Insurance Company, Coregis, and The Home Insurance Company.
RPA Insurance Services, LLC, a Colorado located lawyers’ professional liability insurance specialist is the Colorado exclusive program administrator for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions/Westport Insurance Corporation’s lawyers’ professional liability insurance plan. Westport has longevity, consistency and expertise with 40+ years of writing lawyers professional liability insurance. RPA’s LPL Team is led by Chris Buckman who has 25+ years of Colorado lawyers’ professional liability experience and oversaw the CBA’s Endorsed LPL Plan for 20 years.
Nancy Cohen, Esq., is a partner with the Denver office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP. Nancy focuses her practice on the representation of lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice matters and grievance defense and defends other professionals concerning professional licensure and malpractice issues. She has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation and employment law matters. Nancy was the Chief Deputy Regulation Counsel with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation. She is a special advisor to the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Discipline, a member of the Colorado Supreme Court Advisory Committee, the Colorado Supreme Court Standing Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the American Law Institute. Nancy is also past president of the Denver Bar Association. Nancy is Preeminent AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Colorado Super Lawyer in the area of Professional Liability Defense since 2013, one of the Top 50 Women since 2014, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers since 2015.
Deborah Bjes, Esq. is the dedicated risk manager for the lawyer's professional liability insurance program with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions/Westport Insurance Company. Deborah is responsible for providing assistance and resources to bar associations and law firms by providing on-site CLE and risk management seminars and programs. Deborah also produces a quarterly newsletter, writes articles concerning emerging risks, and provides general risk management guidance for attorneys and insurance professionals.
Deborah has extensive experience handling professional liability claims and managing litigation. Prior to joining Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Deborah worked in the professional liability claims department of a major carrier specializing in attorney, accountant and medical claims, both as a claims expert and as a manager. Deborah has also conducted numerous internal and external claim audits, including audits at various London brokerage houses. Deborah has served as a customer service specialist and has facilitated seminars that focused on enhancing listening and communication skills. Deborah is a licensed attorney who, prior to commencing her insurance career,was a partner at a mid-sized insurance defense Chicago law firm. While there, she first chaired jury trials to verdict and handled a case load that consisted of files within areas of practice such as professional negligence, product liability, premises liability, construction, civil rights, and catastrophic injury. Deborah is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she received her J.D. cum laude.
REGISTRATION: 8 - 8:30 a.m.
PROGRAM: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objectives:
Overview of trends with legal malpractice litigation claims
Understand the rapidly evolving exposures in today’s legal climate
How real or perceived Conflicts of Interests create defensibility issues with legal malpractice matters
Risk Management Pointers to help attorneys communicate effectively with clients and document their files to assist the defense of a legal malpractice claim
- CLE Pass Price *FREE! - exclusions may apply
- Standard Price $79.00 USD
- Member Price $59.00 USD
- General Credits 1.00
- Ethics Credits 1.00
- EDI Credits