OBLIC news, events and updates.

In late 2024, the U.S. Courts Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules proposed amendments that seek to govern evidence generated by AI technology. There are three principal amendments proposed by the Committee: New Rule 707, which explicitly subjects AI-generated outputs to the same standards for a human expert witness as required by R. 702 (a) – […]

Using a file checklist supports prompt compliance with a lawyer’s ethical obligations and helps prevent missed deadlines. It will also facilitate best practices in client communication.   The File Checklist takes the representation from the first client contact to the closing letter and disposition of the file. The specific steps in your File Checklist will depend […]

A New Year’s resolution worth considering is a well-structured File Retention Policy for your law practice. This policy will comply with legal and ethical obligations and enable you to serve your clients more efficiently. Here’s why a robust File Retention Policy is vital and the key elements it should encompass.  What’s Included in a Lawyer’s […]

No – it’s not about sports! It’s PROBATE, ESTATES, WILLS & TRUSTS as the leading area of practice for malpractice claims.   Answer these questions to avoid joining the hit parade with these Best Practices.   1. WHO IS MY CLIENT?  Recognize and Address Conflicts of Interest  –  Always run conflict checks before undertaking representation.    Don’t ignore […]

Perhaps the better question is whether clients should record attorney-client conversations? In either case, doing so raises ethical and practical concerns that attorneys must carefully navigate. While this article offers practical insights into managing such situations, it is not legal advice.  AI and Recordings: Convenience and Risk  Recordings processed by AI tools, such as transcription […]

Your OBLIC Policy includes defense cost reimbursement for disciplinary actions. To take advantage of this benefit under a professional liability policy, policyholders must report the letter of inquiry or notice of grievance promptly upon receipt.  The benefit provides reimbursement for legal fees and expenses for hiring an attorney to assist with defending against professional misconduct […]

The holiday season is here! While wire fraud can happen anytime, year-end transaction deadlines and holiday busyness can give wire fraud perpetrators an opportunity.     We reported on hackers facilitating wire fraud by gaining access to business email accounts, then posing as the transferor in a transaction, to request the wiring instructions be changed to send […]

PMBR – Proactive Management-Based Regulation – becomes effective for Ohio attorneys engaged in the private practice of law on January 1, 2025. On or before September 1st in each odd-numbered year, attorneys registering for active status must file a Certificate of Registration and pay the registration fee. Beginning with the 2025-2027 registration biennium. Amendments to […]

Attorneys accept payments from clients in various forms: checks, debit and credit cards, cash, and others. Cash deposits of $10,000 or more are subject to specific disclosure requirements under federal law. This article outlines these requirements and provides guidance on how to comply with them. Background Currency Transaction Reports are filed by financial institutions reporting […]

Ohio Senate Bill 217: AI Regulations and Legal Implications  Ohio lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 217 in early 2024 to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, which includes a requirement for AI-generated content to contain watermarks. The bill proposes legal actions against AI programs that fail to include these watermarks or for individuals who remove them. […]