Training Course Syllabus:

Practical Legal Ethics of Client Management Seminar

Practical Strategies for Handling Each Client Properly

As clients become more fiscally-conscious and litigious, ethically compliant rainmaking, case selection, and client communications are turning into more than a matter of integrity - they are a matter of firm survival. Don't fall into the trap of taking on "bad news" clients just to keep the case load up. This practical course offers ethical strategies for attracting and keeping the right clients, and filtering out the cases that you ethically cannot or shouldn't take. Get simple tips for staying in compliance and in the black - register today!

• Walk through 15 common client scenarios to get real-life guidance to avoid legal malpractice.
• "You'll never regret the client you refuse:" learn when and how to say "no" to clients.
• Conflict checks have become increasingly complex with the greater lawyer mobility between firms: get a sample list of potential conflicts to make certain no steps are missed.
• Draft enforceable fee agreements with our sample documents and strategic tips.
• Get up-to-the-minute advice on client solicitation rules and discuss the most effective approaches to marketing and expanding your legal practice.
• Ensure reasonable expectations from the start: lay out clearly what you will do and how much you will charge for it to help you prevent client dissatisfaction and stave off potential legal malpractice suits.
• Review the most common ethical missteps that may cause you to inadvertently put your license at risk and make sure you're compliant.

Attracting New Clients
8:45 - 9:45, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Traditional Methods of Attracting Clients (Speaking, Joining, Running for Office, Word-of-Mouth)
Pre-Paid and Referral Provider Service Groups
Print Media and Mailings
On-Air/Cable Media (Television and Radio)
Electronic Media (Internet, Web Sites, Social Networking Sites)

Entering into the Attorney-Client Relationship
9:45 - 10:05, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Conflicts Screening and Conflict Check Systems
Limited Representations
Retainer and Fee Agreements

Avoiding Problems During Client Representation
10:20 - 10:40, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Establishing Reasonable Expectations
Confidentiality of Information
Communication, Including Telephone, Letter and Electronic
Boundary Issues: Keeping the Relationship Professional
Avoiding Issues over Billing and Payment

Closing Out the Individual Case and Retaining the Client
10:40 - 11:00, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

Case Closing Conferences
Return of Original Documents
File Retention
File Destruction
Suggesting Additional Services

Consideration of Common Ethical Dilemmas
11:00 - 12:00, Max E. Kirk and Terry Diane Parsons

The panel will discuss 15 fact patterns that recur in everyday practice to identify the ethical issues and the practical approaches to avoiding and dealing with the ethical issues in an appropriate manner

 

Seminar Summary:

This practical course offers ethical strategies for attracting and keeping the right clients, and filtering out the cases that you ethically cannot or shouldn't take. (see full course description)

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