If an alien dropped into your next committee meeting and asked “what is access to justice?”, how would you answer? Would you describe it as a movement? A desired outcome? A state, or a privilege someone holds? Many would say it’s a problem we’re trying to solve. But if we hope to solve this problem,…
The legal profession finds itself amidst a transformation of work, driven by the emergence of new AI players and technology in the field. For some, this technological influx offers respite from the more routine aspects of their practice. However, for others, it signals stiff competition, given that these routine tasks used to constitute a significant…
In a perfect world, all lawyers would follow 100% of the Code of Conduct, 100% of the time. Why doesn’t that happen? The key to successful implementation of the Code by working lawyers is to translate it into a set of outcome-based objectives. And under each of those objectives is nested a set of supporting practices, which…
Professionalism Committees are dedicated to fostering and advancing ethical and professional conduct for lawyers and firms in their respective jurisdictions. One of the more exciting areas of professionalism in recent years has been the use of lawyer and firm self-assessments as a means to heighten self awareness and, ultimately, to improve performance and professional conduct….
AvvyPro’s Best Practice 6(a) states: “Satisfy yourself that your representation of a client does not create risk of the representation being materially and adversely affected by your own interests, your duties to another client, or a third person.“ Lawyers can ensure they consider all of these conditions by adding them to a prospective new client…
AvvyPro’s Professional Objective #4 for lawyers states: “Ensure that you have the necessary resources (time, finances, staffing, etc.) to fully prepare cases and offer thorough representation.“ Objectives are a desired outcome, or what needs to be achieved. And every good professional objective for lawyers also has supporting Best Practices, which fill in the how. Here are two of…
The stethoscope was invented by Rene Laennec in 1816. Imagine having one for your legal clients. What must every medical practitioner have felt hearing a human heartbeat up close and personal through a stethoscope for the first time? I’m sure their eyes were wide, and it would have changed the way they practiced medicine forever. The heartbeat…
AvvyPro’s Professional Objective #9 for lawyers states: “Ensure that clients share your understanding of the scope of the retainer and the terms of engagement.“ Objectives are a desired outcome, or what needs to be achieved. And every good professional objective for lawyers also has supporting Best Practices, which fill in the how. Here are two…