News & Updates
Hot Off the (Digital) Press: Everything You Need to Know About Client Trust Accounts
Kentucky lawyers handling client funds will want to check out our latest publication, created in collaboration with the Kentucky IOLTA Fund: Client Trust Account Basics: A Handbook for Kentucky Lawyers.This third edition has been completely redesigned with the goal of being your go-to digital reference for client trust account issues. The Handbook is designed for practitioners of all experience levels: whether you want to read it cover-to-cover to gain a foundational knowledge or click through to a topic of interest as questions arise.
We want to thank Guion Johnstone, Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Foundation & Kentucky IOLTA Fund, and Madelyn Day, Legal Intern for the KBF/Kentucky IOLTA Fund, for their hard work on this project.
For more information about the book or client trust account issues, contact Courtney (
Practice Management
Engagement, Non-Engagement, Disengagement, and Termination Letters
If you have heard us speak at an event, chances are we have found some way to include a quick reminder of the importance of documenting the beginning and the end of the lawyer-client relationship. This documentation not only helps keep everyone on the same page during a representation, but can also support a defense against certain claims that may arise. The following templates and guides are now available on the Practice Management page of our website:
- Engagement Letter Template: Execute an engagement letter at the beginning of each and every matter.
- Non-Engagement (Declination) Template: Execute a non-engagement letter when you are declining a matter to prevent the potential client from forming a reasonable belief that you are their lawyer.
- Disengagement Letter Guide: Execute a disengagement letter when the representation must end prior to the conclusion of the matter.
- Termination Letter Guide: Execute a termination letter at the end of a matter to clearly communicate that you no longer are their attorney (but invite them to return to you for future matters).
Wellness Corner
Have You Scheduled Your Annual Check-Up?
August is National Wellness Month and LMICK’s Courtney Risk has a challenge for each of you:
In researching this theme, I found the focus is on re-prioritizing your health. I found several articles with great tips—eat a healthy diet, include regular exercise, get more sleep—all things we know we need to routinely implement. However, I wanted to give you all something you can add to your to-do list and cross off immediately: call your doctor and schedule the exam you have been putting off.
I am 100% guilty of this. I keep up with most of my yearly appointments but, admittedly, I have had a calendar reminder to call and schedule my mammogram for much longer than I should have. I keep snoozing the reminder as the to-do list gets longer and it gets pushed back until tomorrow or next week. National Wellness Month was the reminder I needed to prioritize these appointments in my schedule.
Let’s keep each other accountable. Whatever appointment you have been putting off—annual exam, colonoscopy, mammogram, dental cleaning, eye exam, you name it—write it on your to-do list right now. And make the call before the end of the month. I will do the same!
Upcoming Events
LMICK 3Q CLE: On-Demand
Malpractice 101: What Is It and How To Protect Yourself?
2.0 hours of Kentucky Ethics CLE Approved
What constitutes a legal malpractice case? How can I prevent a malpractice case? What does my insurance policy cover (or not cover)? This session provides an overview of malpractice, legal professional liability policies, and related cyber security issues. In the first hour of the session, attendees will gain an understanding of the most prevalent types of legal malpractice and learn LMICK’s top tips for mitigating risk. Since lawyers are human—and risk mitigation is not risk elimination—the second hour of the session will examine legal professional liability insurance and cyber insurance (generally): how it works, how it does not work, why you need it, and questions to ask.
We are offering this quarterly CLE on-demand to allow you the flexibility to watch either hour (or both) at your convenience. Click here to register!
It’s Time for Your (Firm’s) Annual Check-Up!
After completing the personal wellness challenge, above, take some time to complete your firm’s annual check-up, as well. The LMICK On-Demand CLE provides an overview of our 30-Minute Malpractice Check-Up and how to use it. Click here to register!
Kentucky Law Update Registration Open
This year's KBA Kentucky Law Update includes both in-person and on-demand opportunities to earn the annual CLE requirement of 12.0 CLE credits, including 2.0 ethics credits, at no cost. Attend the in-person sessions and see Lawyers Mutual’s own Courtney Risk co-presenting in two sessions, one of which will showcase the newly updated Client Trust Account Basics Handbook. See below for a list of in-person dates and click here to register!
We look forward to seeing you!
LMICK is proud to support the organizations that support you and your work! We will be out and about this fall, leading CLEs and sponsoring events. We hope you can join us at one of these currently scheduled events (and make sure to come say hello)!
Aug. 16: University of Kentucky Law Student Well-Being Panel, Lexington Fayette Co. Bar Assoc. Women Lawyers Association Event, Lexington
Aug. 31: Kentucky Law Update, Owensboro
Sept. 6-8: Kentucky Justice Association Annual Convention, Louisville
Sept. 7: Kentucky Law Update, Covington
Sept. 14: Kentucky Law Update, Ashland
Sept. 15: Fayette County Bar Assoc. Yoga Happy Hour, Lexington
Sept. 21: Kentucky Defense Counsel Fall Seminar, Lexington
Sept. 28: Kentucky Law Update, London
Oct. 12: Kentucky Law Update, Lexington
Oct. 13: KBA YLD and UK Law Alumni Section Connection Event, Lexington
Oct. 26: Kentucky Law Update, Paducah
Nov. 9: Kentucky Law Update, Louisville
Nov. 15: Louisville Bar Association Annual Awards, Louisville
Nov. 16: Kentucky Law Update, Pikeville
Nov. 30: Kentucky Law Update, Bowling Green
We want to hear from you! Have a CLE topic you would like to see? Send suggestions to
Need a CLE Speaker? We would love to speak to your group! You can check out our updated list of available topics and request to schedule, here.
Angela Logan Edwards – President/CEO
Courtney Risk – Education & Engagement Specialist