Publications

How to Avoid Potential Pitfalls for Trust, Estate and Probate Attorneys
Claims against trust and estate attorneys are steadily increasing. Find out how to avoid or mitigate the most common claims before they occur.

Reducing Risk in a Real Estate Law Practice
Explore the most common claim issues confronting real estate attorneys, and use practical suggestions for avoiding or minimizing those risks.

2010 Risk Management Seminars
A list of our upcoming Risk Management seminars through June 2010

Keeping Problems Simple
Lawyers manage problems for their clients every day, but they’re not always sure how to manage situations that might turn into malpractice claims against themselves.  Travelers’ claim experts offer tips to lower your risk.

Choosing the Right Clients
Poor client selection is a recurring source of legal malpractice claims – and one you can control.

The Changing Risk Climate for Defense Lawyers
Malpractice claims against defense attorneys have risen by 6%, greater than any other practice area. Read tips for minimizing your risks.

Handling a Client’s Request for the File
Failing to turn over the complete file can and does exacerbate a soured client relationship, and may lead to a malpractice claim. Read tips for turning over files.

Risk Management Seminars – 2009 Series
Our final Sexual Harassment Prevention Training course for the year takes place on December 4th. Don’t miss out!

Live Well, Work Well
Helpful health and Employee Benefits articles.

Suing for Fees? Think Twice!
You can minimize the risk of a malpractice claim that is attempted leverage for a client who is unwilling to pay your bill.

2009 Risk Management Seminar Series

Live Well, Work Well
Helpful health and Employee Benefits articles.

Risk Management Seminars – 2009 Series
Upcoming seminars for you and your clients from Cavignac & Associates.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Conflict of Interest
Representing a partnership as well as an individual partner can create a conflict of interest nightmare.

Prevent Malpractice as Your Law Firm Grows
As you hire additional attorneys, your risk of malpractice claims grows. Your protocols for preventing malpractice suits should grow as well.

It’s Not Too Late to Plan for 2009!
Did you – or your child graduate from college? Did you receive a raise? If so, consider increasing your retirement savings and deferrals.

Risk Management Seminars – 2009 Series
Upcoming seminars for you and your clients from Cavignac & Associates.

Confusion and Contracts Don't Mix
Leases and other standardized contracts should include language that has withstood scrutiny from courts, plaintiffs and their counsel over a period of time.

Escrow Accounts and Hot Checks
Six simple steps attorneys can take to sure they will not have negative escrow account balances.

Employer Advisors Network – Managing Employment Law Exposures
Employment law traps attorneys can help clients avoid – and reduce their own exposures.

Risk Management Seminars – 2009 Series
Upcoming seminars for you and your clients from Cavignac & Associates.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 21
Systems and procedures; series summary.

HR Tidbits… I-9 Forms
Are you using I-9 Forms correctly?

Practice Management Strategies, Part 20: Service, Turnover, and Sexual Relations
The way you view your firm can give you a competitive edge, and more...

2008 FOCUS Seminars
Training seminars offered for you or your clients in our downtown FOCUS Room

Vision Care - UV Protection
Keep your eyes safe from the sun

Practice Management Strategies, Part 19: Settlement Advice and Termination of Representation
Client regrets about settlement decisions provide fertile ground for professional liability claims.

2007 FOCUS Seminars
Training seminars offered for you or your clients in our Downtwon FOCUS Room

Taking New Medications
Points to remember

Practice Management Strategies, Part 18: Opinion Letters and Peer Review
Beware - opinion letters can open you to professional liability claims. Use the Peer Review process to regulate attorneys before rogues can damage your firm.

2007 FOCUS Seminars
Training seminars offered for you or your clients in our downtown FOCUS Room

The Average American Spends 18 Years in Retirement
Planning tips for your retirement needs

Practice Management Strategies, Part 17: Substantive Law, Referrals, Procrastination
Thorough, advance preparation is a must - and so is referring a matter that is outside your core of expertise. But make sure that referral is a good one!

2007 FOCUS Seminars
Training seminars offered in our Downtown FOCUS Room

Practice Management Strategies, Part 16:  Office Sharing and Risk Management
Sharing space with other lawyers can mean sharing their potential professional liability.

2007 FOCUS Seminars
Training seminars offered in our Downtown FOCUS Room.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 15: Resources, Scope and Expertise
Today, your professional liability exposure level correlates to the relative level of resources you have available in your law firm. Find out what's most important - and why.

2006 FOCUS Seminars
Training Seminars being offered through the end of the year in our Downtown FOCUS Room.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 14: The Hazards of Using 'Of Counsel' and Temporary Lawyers
Are potential conflicts of interest, lack of adequate supervision and vicarious liability issues that create extra-hazardous professional liability exposures worth the risk?

2006 FOCUS Seminars
Training Seminars being offered from June through July 2006 in our Downtown FOCUS Room.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 13: Claims and Claimants
An attorney's professional liability exposure increases exponentially whenever he/she represents a group of people with similar interests, and approximately 15% of all successful professional liability claims against attorneys are brought by non-clients. Read how to combat these risks.

2006 FOCUS Seminars
Training seminars being offered from March through May, 2006 in our Downtown FOCUS Room.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 12
Find out how non-legal services and outside directorships can affect your firm.

2006 FOCUS Seminars
Spring seminars available at Cavignac & Associates' Downtown FOCUS Room.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 11: Litigation Planning and Management
Litigation planning and management is a must to avoid professional liability claims.

2005/2006 FOCUS Seminars
FOCUS Seminars available from Cavignac & Associates through the first quarter of 2006.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 10: Technology and Practice Groups
Read how technology and practice groups can benefit your law firm.

2005 Training Sessions Available at Cavignac & Associates
Seating is limited - reserve your space now!

Practice Management Strategies, Part 9: Law Firm Practice Management and Quality Control
Read how practice management and quality control can benefit your law firm.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 8: Law Firm Culture
Define the characteristics of a winning culture, and create that culture in your firm to reduce your professional liability exposure.

MyWave
MyWave puts the power of the Internet at your fingertips.

Practice Management Strategies, Part 7 - Lateral Hires
Lateral hires almost always increase your professional liability exposures. Read why, and how to minimize your risk.

Practice Management Strategies: Part 6
See how financial management, internal audits and neglected files can affect your firm.

Practice Management Strategies - Part 5
See how the use of engagement letters, fee handling, file retention and the use of independent contractors impact your practice.

Practice Management Strategies - Part 4
Read how to manage Deadline and Docket Control Systems, Documentation, and Dual Professions in your practice.

Practice Management Strategies Part 3: Conflict of Interests
Identifying and managing conflict of interests is the most critical risk management issue facing law firms.

Practice Management Strategies - Part 2
Examine the topics of Client Relations, Client Solvency, and internal Committees as possible ways to enhance your law firm's practice management techniques.

Practice Management Strategies - Part 1
Explore arbitration, case acceptance, client intake and confidentiality, and checklists and forms as strategies to manage your exposures to loss.

3 Reasons Why Lawyers Get Sued
New types of exposures and potential claims against law firms are constantly evolving. Here are three of the many reasons why attorneys get sued.

Serving on Business Boards
Does your firm have a policy addressing circumstances under which firm members may serve on outside boards or as officers of outside businesses? See why it should.

Law Firm Web Site Risks Continue to Grow
Technology and legislation are constantly converging to create new potential liabilities every day. Are you aware of the legal responsibilities that you assume as a "publisher?"

Law Firm Management
Learn about risk management control spots that can reduce claims for your firm.

Advance Waivers of Conflict
Because "advance" or "blanket" waivers of conflict are closely scrutinized and may be disfavored, great care must be taken when using them. Read why.

The Hardening Lawyers Professional Liability Marketplace
Explains the reasons for the rate increases that were taking place prior to September 11, 2001. You'll find out why you should start your renewal process early, and why you should budget for the price increases now.

What to Do When Disciplinary Counsel Calls
Although the disciplinary rules of each state differ, there are enforcement similarities that can guide the lawyer who has received a disciplinary inquiry.

A Buyer's Checklist
You have the right to expect more from your insurance company than a policy and a bill.

The Right Amount of Coverage
How much professional liability insurance should a law firm purchase? See guidelines to consider.

How to Avoid Paying for Others' Mistakes
Professional liability issues should be one of the most important factors involved in lateral hiring decisions, yet law firms often overlook the professional liability baggage that may be associated with the lateral hire.

Law Firms' Use of the Internet: web sites, E-mail and Ethics
The 1983 ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct did not address the propriety of communicating via the Internet - important issues you should be aware of!

What if "The Check's Not In The Mail?"
More than 40% of all suits for fees by attorneys result in counter-suits for malpractice

Home Y2K Problems Cause Inconvenience
Systems using computer chips may encounter Y2K problems

Protecting Your Laptop at Airports
Unwary business travelers make easy prey for thieves

Think You Have Full Prior Acts? Think Again!
Many companies claim to offer "full prior acts" coverage. "Could have known" wordin is a serious policy limitation

Letters Of The Law
Engagement letters are powerfull loss prevention too!

Calm Before the Storm: Prepare Today!
The Insurance Information Institute offers tips to minimize your risk of damage in an emergency

Record Retention
Could your firm face liability for negligent spoliation of evidence?