OBLIC news, events and updates.

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

In the second of this three-part series, this article focuses on important steps to creating and maintaining a steady and thorough line of communication when representing a client. A key thing to consider is that roughly one third of all legal malpractice claims arise out of poor attorney-client communications. Whether a seasoned attorney who might […]

Topics previously discussed in OBLICAlerts are the subject of two recent opinions by the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct. These Opinions provide further guidance on the information in Hotline Questions: Conflicts of Interest and Common Questions: Firm Names Following Amendment of Rule 7.5. Opinion 2020-10 Law Firm Concurrent Representation of Adverse Clients in the Same […]

COVID-19 has definitely raised the bar for law firm cyber security. As practicing lawyers work remotely, attend court hearings and meet with clients virtually, and with a significant spike in cyber attacks since the beginning of this pandemic, the need to have appropriate safeguards to protect client confidential data is of extreme importance. OBLIC’s Cyber […]

Recognizing that the best ways to avoid COVID-19 change frequently and that Ohio business owners are unsure about what tort liability they may face, the Ohio General Assembly enacted H.B 606. Governor Mike DeWine signed it into law on September 14, 2020. The law takes effect in 90 days and applies to acts, omissions, conduct, […]