Ethics must be part of your trust account’s DNA
Regulatory and compliance solicitor, FRANCES MOFFITT, reminds us how falsehoods involving trust money can bring the whole profession into disrepute.Snapshot Falsehoods involving trust money and…
Succession planning: why communication between lawyers & accountants is crucial
Succession law and planning is complex. With state and Federal revenue laws often in conflict, lawyers and accountants need to work together. By JIM MAIN.Snapshot…
What’s in a name?
Is it time for stricter guidelines on how solicitors describe themselves?Is it time for stricter guidelines on how solicitors describe themselves?“A rose by any other…
How (and why) to fire a difficult client
No business likes to turn down a paying customer. But for law firms, firing bad clients isn’t just important, it’s essential.No business likes to turn…
Why you should say ‘no’ to your clients
Sometimes pushing back is in the client’s best interest.Sometimes pushing back is in the client’s best interest.Imagine a client conference. Your client tells you their…
How can I build my profile in the legal profession?
Follow these tips to build your profile and client base in the legal industry.Dear Fiona, I am a non-partner at my firm and want to build…
Clarifying your (evolving) retainer
The retainer agreement is the best evidence of the parties’ intention and the client’s instructions at the time the scope of the work was agreed…
The one skill good lawyers need
Want to build a busy law practice by doing nothing? Listen up.Want to build a busy law practice by doing nothing? Listen up.I get paid…
The cost of not communicating
A solicitor’s responsibility has always been to provide clear and timely advice to assist the client in understanding the legal issues so as to make…
Client lunch comes back to bite
Keep client lunches focused on building relationships not taking instructions or providing advice. By MELISSA FENTON and CRAIG HOLLAND.Snapshot Resist offering advice in a social…
The risks of mixing legal and financial advice
Solicitors must be conscious of the difference between financial and legal advice and know when to advise a client of the need to obtain independent…