Lawyers Mutual provides speakers who can deliver real-life examples and practical, timely information. Lawyers Mutual speakers are
available for bar associations, legal professional organizations and for in-house programs for our insureds.
Contact Camille Stell to arrange for a speaker or to design a custom program.
Topics for the 2010 program year
That "Oh No" Moment: Malpractice Claims Errors and How to Avoid the Same Fate
- Avoid common malpractice claims by looking at where claims come from and why, concentrating on areas of practice reporting the most frequent claims and what activities are responsible for claims in each area
- Utilize good judgment and sound, ethical management practices, and
- Know when to report a potential claim and how to communicate with your client to prevent the problem from getting worse.
Ripped from the Headlines: Ethical Conundrums to Avoid
- Ethics issues that are presented in common malpractice cases
- Updates on ethics opinions issued by the North Carolina State Bar
Recession Related Ethics: Navigating Tough Times
The recession has been tough, long and its impact will be felt for months (years?) to come. This timely program discusses ethical issues that a slow economy can create for lawyers.
- Should I sue my client for failure to pay my legal bill?
- Should I do work for this "red flag" client, even though my gut says no?
- "Creative marketing" – should I worry about what the ethics rules say?
- Communicate with clients via e-newsletters, blogging and other forms of social networking and the ethical issues created
- Ethical issues that arise when you make career changes such as leaving a firm, joining a new firm or going solo.
Why Can’t We All Get Along? Bridging the Generation Gap
- Understand the four generations in today’s work force: Traditionalist, Baby Boomer, Generation Xers and Millennials
- Recognize the stereotypes that prevent us from understanding a different generation
- Discuss differences that cause worker dissatisfaction and attrition
- Discuss communication skills that help bridge the gap effectively with all four generations of staff, co-workers, and clients
Listen More, Worry Less.
In today’s law firm, communication skills are as important as technical abilities in achieving success for administrators, HR professionals and others involved in law office management.
- Develop "active listening" skills to tune in to coworkers and cultivate productive relationships
- Use communication skills to build a team approach that motivates others and facilitates change
- Understand how to blend and communicate with different personality styles
- Use empathy as a powerful listening tool
- Use questions to open thinking
- Discuss effective methods of managing conflict
Turbulent Times: Job Keeping and Job Seeking
- Career Management and Transition
- Job Search – Resumes and Interview Tips
- Professional and Social Networking
Building Professional Credibility
Steps to building professional credibility for your law office staff include:
- Learning about your work environment
- Developing relationships
- Developing confidence in your skills
- Building your professional reputation
Avoiding Difficult Clients
- Recognizing the "red flag" client
- Dealing with the difficult client
- Making the difficult decision to fire a client
- Satisfied clients: your best marketing tool