Schedule an Ethics CLE

“Am I in Trouble?” ...Naw, You’re in Big Trouble! The Latest in Lawyers Misbehavin’

Our annual compilation of entertaining lawyer misbehavior features new, real-life fact patterns and the opportunity to discuss which ethical obligations are potentially implicated. The fact patterns—while extreme at times—provide attendees an opportunity to see how various rules can overlap and interact in the real world. Attendees will then be asked to determine what discipline, if any, should apply in each scenario. Being mindful of these potential ethical quagmires will hopefully help you avoid becoming the unwitting subject of a future ethics CLE!

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person

Bar Discipline 101: The Dos and Don’ts of Responding to a Bar Complaint

Lawyers that receive a bar complaint experience a wide variety of emotions including fear, panic, stress, and anger. This session will provide lawyers with an overview of the disciplinary process, including the 2022 updates to the rules. It will also address the need to obtain counsel so lawyers can respond rationally and effectively to a charge of attorney misconduct. Attendees will be better prepared for if—or when—they receive a bar complaint.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

“Did I Do That?” The Malpractice Missteps to Avoid

We all stumble from time to time. Despite our best efforts, lawyers are still human. We can, however, remain mindful of where the pitfalls are in order to mitigate the mistakes. This presentation will focus on the most common causes of lawyer liability. Attendees will be able to identify issues that lead to significant liability in the areas of communication (SCR 3.130(1.4)), fees (SCR 3.130(1.5)), declining or terminating representation (SCR 3.130(1.16)), and more. Discussion of various scenarios will allow attendees to think about preventing mistakes as well as how to mitigate damage when mistakes are made.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person

Effective, Efficient, and Ethical: Practical Tips for Protecting Your Practice

Lawyers looking for tips to work more effectively and efficiently need to look no further than the Rules of Professional Conduct. Our ethical obligations—including competence (1.1), diligence (1.3), communication (1.4), and supervision (5.1-5.3 & related rules)—are great guideposts for setting up internal procedures that support more effective, efficient workflows. This session will discuss on the most common causes of lawyer liability and discipline and provide tips for reducing exposure and protecting their practice.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

It’s Time For Your Annual Check-up!

While it may take more than “an apple a day” to keep malpractice and ethical complaints at bay, LMICK has a new tool to check-up on the health of your firm. Attendees will receive an overview of the new 30-Minute Malpractice Check-Up and how to use it. This session will discuss issues related to communication (SCR 3.130(1.4)), fees (SCR 3.130(1.5, 1.15)), supervision (SCR 3.130(5.1-5.3)), and conflicts (SCR 3.30(1.7-1.11, 1.13). Attendees will gain a better understanding of these pitfalls and discuss solutions and resources for a healthier practice.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person

Lawyer Mistakes Made for all to See: Learning Lessons from High Profile Cases

Have you heard about Alex Jones’ lawyer and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week he had in August 2022? How about the numerous scandals surrounding the Girardi Keese law firm, including a high profile fee sharing dispute? These cases serve up a lot of drama and, for attorneys, the opportunity to learn. This session will explore (alleged) ethical missteps and grounds for malpractice in recent high profile cases. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the applicable ethical rules (including competence (1.1), diligence (1.3), communication (1.4), fees (1.5), fee sharing (1.15), and supervision (5.1-5.3)) and the appropriate remedies for when a mistake is made.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

Malpractice 101: What Is It and How To Protect Yourself?

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 portion 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 half 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.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

Planning for the Inevitable: Protecting Your Law Firm In a Crisis

Lawyers Mutual of Kentucky (“LMICK”), presents tips and strategies for attorneys to prepare for the unplanned and unavoidable circumstances that can interrupt practice operations, including extended illnesses, hospitalizations, and natural disasters. Attendees will gain practical tips for preparing for these eventualities. This session will also address succession planning issues and the ethical considerations, including relevant Model Rules of Professional Conduct, that apply to these issues and other life changing events.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

Small Steps, Big Impact: Practical Tips for Protecting Your Practice

As attorneys, you are trained to identify potential worst-case scenarios and advise clients on how to reduce or avoid liability. However, when looking internally at reducing liability in your own law practice, you may feel overwhelmed. All of the possible exposures can make the process of improving internal procedures daunting.

This presentation will focus on the most common causes of liability. Attendees will be able to identify issues that lead to significant liability in the areas of communication (SCR 3.130(1.4)), fees (SCR 3.130(1.5)), declining or terminating representation (SCR 3.130(1.16)), and more. Attendees will then be equipped with small steps that can have a big impact on reducing their exposure and protecting their practice.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

The Usual Suspects: AI, Fraud, Bad Intake and That Bar Complaint You Forgot to Mention

This presentation will explore four topics with which attorneys must grapple – some potentially daily and others at some point in their practice. First, we’ll examine the growing role of artificial intelligence in the legal landscape, including its benefits and potential pitfalls. Next, we’ll delve into the rise of wire fraud and strategies for protecting client funds. We’ll also address common client intake issues that can lead to ethical or operational challenges. Finally, we’ll discuss practical steps for effectively responding to and managing bar complaints.

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar

Wait, Wait… Don’t Disbar Me

Do you think about your ethical obligations as an attorney when responding to opposing counsel’s request for a continuance? How about in the middle of a contentious deposition? Is there such a thing as overzealous representation of a client? Do you have ethical obligations in your dealings with opposing counsel? And if so, do you know what they are? What if your client is demanding you take action that is potentially in violation of your ethical obligations?

This session will walk through real-life case examples of mistakes attorneys have made. Attendees will also hear scenarios based on the newly amended and adopted Kentucky Supreme Court Rules. Being mindful of these potential ethical quagmires will hopefully help you avoid becoming the unwitting subject of a future ethics CLE!

Details:

• Length: 1 hour
• Format: In Person, Webinar