OBLIC news, events and updates.

Keep up-to-date on what's going on with the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company.
Tech Update – Moving Away from Internet Explorer
Posted on February 25th, 2021

We want to make you aware now that beginning August 17, 2021, Microsoft will no longer support Microsoft Internet Explorer for Microsoft online services such as Office 365, OneDrive, and Outlook. If you use Internet Explorer (IE) as your browser for your email and internet search engine, you will need to install another browser. Options […]

Deciphering Conflicts of Interest
Posted on February 18th, 2021

Perhaps one of the most puzzling issues practicing lawyers deal with is determining if there is a conflict of interest that will affect their representation. On February 10, 2021 the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued Formal Opinion 497 – Conflicts Involving Materially Adverse Interests to address conflicts involving representing […]

Business Succession Planning: Designating a Successor Attorney
Posted on February 11th, 2021

This article is the second in the series on Business Succession Planning. The first article covered Business Succession Planning: Mapping Your Road to Retirement. This article will discuss implementing a plan for the unexpected disability, disappearance, discipline, or death of an attorney in your firm. While the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct do not mandate […]

Hotline Questions: What to Do with Client Files?
Posted on February 4th, 2021

What to do with client files is one of the most-asked questions to the Hotline. OBLIC has offered guidance on the importance of record retention in managing client files, sending file closing letters and returning files to clients at the conclusion of representation. See OBLICAlert 5 8 2020, OBLIC Alert 11 1 2019, OBLICAlert 4 […]

ABA Opinions Provide Guidance on Current Practice Issues
Posted on January 28th, 2021

The ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility recently issued two opinions that give timely advice on practice issues practicing attorneys are facing now: Formal Opinion 495 – Lawyers Working Remotely and Formal Opinion 496 – Responding to Online Criticism   Formal Opinion 495 – Lawyers Working Remotely, issued December 16, 2020, addresses the […]

Business Succession Planning: Mapping Your Road to Retirement
Posted on January 14th, 2021

One of the effects of COVID has been that lawyers are taking a closer look at their practices and whether they want to continue working in the new “normal.” This means that business succession planning is more important than ever. Business succession planning is a multi-faceted process with strategies for the future of your practice, […]

Checklist for the New Year
Posted on January 7th, 2021

2020 was a year many of us are glad to see behind us. Let’s start 2021 off right! Here’s a checklist to help you make this a great year for practice!   1. Tech Check Practicing during COVID has lawyers relying on technology even more than in the past. Check off these items to use […]

Contractual Limit Change to Uninsured and Underinsured Claims
Posted on December 10th, 2020

OBLIC has recently learned that at least one major Ohio-based auto insurer is attempting to contractually limit the time to file uninsured or underinsured claims by its policyholders to two years from the date of the accident, rather than the three-year period provided in Revised Code 3937.18(H).  This change appears to potentially impact auto policies […]

Hotline Questions – Fee Collection
Posted on December 3rd, 2020

OBLIC policyholders who call our loss prevention hotline often pose questions concerning how to collect overdue legal fees from clients. The best answer is to avoid getting into such a position in the first place. One way to avoid this predicament is to discuss your legal fees and other costs associated with your representation upfront […]

Hotline Questions: Accepting and Continuing Representation
Posted on November 12th, 2020

OBLIC policyholders who call our loss prevention hotline often pose questions concerning whether or not to undertake or continue representation in a variety of circumstances. Let’s look at some of these situations. Check scams Inquiries about accepting representation frequently involve an email from a purported out-of-state client prospect, often representing themselves in a way that […]