Newsflash: like solos, even large firm attorneys can file complaints in the wrong place, miss the statute of limitations and conceal the mistake – as shown in this article, Jury Awards Billy Blanks $15 Million in Legal Malpractice Suit (4/2/05). But it takes an extra special large firm to wind up liable not just for
Operations
Malpractice Insurance: Don’t Start Practice Without It
Here’s an article, 10 Misconceptions About Malpractice Insurance, Phillip Fraim, Small Firm Business (3/28/05) that discusses some of the mistaken assumptions attorneys make in purchasing malpractice insurance. For example, Fraim points out that many attorneys wrongly believe that defense costs in a malpractice action do not affect policy limits (when they do) or that…
And here’s yet another story,
And here’s yet another story, NY Firm, Attorney Fail to Execute Retainer , New York Lawyer (3/31/05) on the importance of a retainer agreement. The article reports on a suit by law firm Fenderstock & Partners against its former client, attorney Stephen Shapiro to recover fees for services that Fenderstock provided, ironically, to defend Shapiro…
Help Wanted At My Shingle – Law or College Student
Wanted Immediately: law student or college student to assist with several upgrades to the site and restoration to its original format. Student should have blogging experience, ("plawdcasting" experience and/or abilities as well even better), rudimentary knowlege of HTML code (or ability/willingness to learn a couple of quick basics) and strong web-based research skills. Individual should…
The Law School Consortium
Here’s a news item about the Law School Consortium. It’s a program that recognizes the role that solo and small firm lawyers play in meeting the legal needs of the poor – and provides support for those who choose that route:
[CUNY Program Director Fred] Rooney calls this Low Bono legal assistance. By joining…
Being Nice Can Pay Off
Lawyers take different approaches to litigation – some believe that a threatening, aggressive demeanor produces results, some prefer a cool, professional air (think robotic!), others adopt a good old boy, blackslapping friendliness. This post by Seth Godin persuasively argues in favor of the power of being nice. (among other things, you may save your…
Legal Ethics – Answers Wanted
Thanks to David Giacalone for alerting readers to another legal ethics weblog, Ben Cowgill’s Legal Ethics Blog. Cowgill points out that his legal ethics blog is third on the Internet, joining David’s f/k/a ethical esq? and The Legal Ethics Forum. Actually, that’s not quite right. Because here at MyShingle, we’ve been…
When a Solo Goes to Trial
It’s hard enough getting ready for a trial, but as a solo, there’s even more to think about because of staffing constraints, as Kimberly Fanady points out in this piece, Flying Solo at Trial, Small Firm Business (3/10/05). Among other tips, Fanady suggests retaining a temp to put files and exhibits in order and…
Supreme Solos
October marks the Supreme Court’s return to the bench after summer recess. But for the past four years, it’s also marked the Supreme Court group admission of roughly thirty solo attorney from all over the country and members of the ABA’s Solosez listserve. The group event was devised by Maryland solo, Terry Berger who continues…
Change of Pace
Hey readers, I’m dispatching this post from a computer at the Washington College of Law Library of American University in Washington D.C. I’m posting from here just to show that I can but also to make this point. For solo and small firm lawyers, the law library can serve as an antidote to the isolation…