OBLIC news, events and updates.
HOTLINE QUESTIONS- Considerations When Outsourcing
Recently we have received a number of calls through our Loss Prevention Hotline from lawyers considering outsourcing as a way to develop a practice area or manage overhead expenses. If you are considering an outsourcing arrangement, here are some ethical obligations to keep in mind: Communication, Confidentiality, and Conflicts Lawyers must consult with clients about […]
Final Public Comment Period for Proposed Rule Changes Closing February 21
The second and final public comment period for the proposed changes to Ohio’s civil, criminal, evidence, juvenile and traffic rules will close on February 21, 2022. The proposed changes are published here on the Ohio Supreme Court’s website. The changes include recommendations from the Supreme Court’s iCourt Task Force. The current proposal also includes revisions […]
Cybersecurity Incident Response – The Four Phase Plan
In our October Cybersecurity Awareness Month series, we recommended developing an Incident Response Plan (“IRP”) to mitigate the risk that a cyber-attack will result in the disclosure of confidential client data. Please read our Basics of the IRP Four Phase Plan for Lawyers, which offers suggestions on how to develop a plan using the four […]
New Year Closed File Purge
The turn of the calendar to a new year may inspire lawyers to clean house by purging old client files. If you are so inspired, consider the following: Are the documents to be purged records of client funds or client property held by you? Prof.Cond.R. 1.15 requires that lawyers preserve records of client funds and […]
Legal Malpractice Statute of Repose- Amended
As we have previously reported, effective June 16, 2021, the Ohio legislature enacted R.C. 2305.117 to establish a legal malpractice statute of repose. The statute bars any action upon a legal malpractice claim if the action is not commenced within 4 years after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the basis of […]
Tis the Season! – Holiday Ethics Advice
It is that time of year again—time for reconnecting with family and friends, for celebrating the end of another year, for holiday parties and gift giving. It is also time for some pesky legal ethics questions to bubble up—what are the rules on gift giving again? We know that time, particularly during this season, is […]
Did you “Put the check in the mail?”
Just like many of you, we have gotten very frustrated with the US Postal Service and the length of time it takes to deliver or receive mail, with too many instances of mail completely lost and never delivered. We have encountered countless problems caused by the USPS, impacting the timeliness of applications, payments, etc. Accordingly, […]
October Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Week #4—Calling for Back-Up Following the loss prevention advice we have offered this month—educating lawyers and staff, assessing risks, and developing a solid Incident Response Plan (“IRP”)—will provide a good base of protection against cyber-crime. However, with cyber-crime constantly evolving, nothing is foolproof. This week we address the resources available to victims after an attack. […]
October Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Week #3—An Ounce of Preparation… Following cybersecurity best practices in the use of technology (such as recognizing and deleting phishing messages, using a VPN and strong passwords, and regularly updating software) will go a long way in protecting against cyber-attack. However, even the most vigilant still face some risk. As technology evolves, so too does […]
October Is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Week #2—You Are Only As Strong As Your Weakest Link According to the 2020 Internet Crime Report issued by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (“IC3”), the prevalence and cost of cyber-crime increased exponentially in 2020. Cyber-crime reports received by the FBI increased 69% from 2019 to 2020. Reported losses in 2020 exceeded $4.1 billion. […]
