Value and Vision: A Bold Technology Strategy for Changing Times

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2009
Location: New York, NY
More Information: Web Site

This forum is strategic in focus and will help you build a foundation for your technology strategy. It is created by and targeted to those leaders who understand the importance of technology as tool for effective management.

Risk Sessions of Note:

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MANAGING CONFIDENTIALITY AND RISK

The panel will explore the role technology plays—both in creating confidentiality risks, and how it can help control them. We will also explore differences in the US and UK systems, looking for lessons and guidance from each. Specific topics include:

• Confidentiality “Horror Stories” -- surprising examples from several (anonymous) large law firms
• International Confidentiality Drivers – Understanding standards and procedures mandated by professional rules, recent case law, evolving regulations and client requirements
• Risk Response Strategies – Addressing enforcement, lawyer notification, compliance tracking and reporting measures to fulfill confidentiality duties and foster a general internal firm culture of risk awareness

Risk Management in Troubled Times

Date: December 2-3, 2009
Location: New York, NY
More Information: Web Site

This is a highly focused forum focused at law firm risk management. It will allow for experienced insights from some of the most respected law firm general counsel. It will give crucial guidance in a period of unprecedented change—and risk—for law firms. It will also address critical, future regulatory changes (the adoption of the Legal Services Act in the UK, the growing issues of MJP (multi-jurisdictional practice) in the US and the re-examination on law firm ownership in some jurisdictions).

Risk Sessions of Note:

THE MATURING ROLE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

In the decade since the formal role of general counsel emerged as a key management position in law firms, the role has continued to mature and the risk environment for law firms has changed dramatically. In this session, a legal scholar who has tracked the evolution of law firm general counsel from the beginning will lead a discussion of the current role, including the scope of the job, relationship to management, and the nature and importance of the risk management responsibilities.

MANAGING THE GROWING THREAT POSED BY "BAD CLIENTS"

It may be a truism that most claims against law firms arise from “bad clients,” but in economic distress, good clients can go “bad” surprisingly quickly. Long-time observers of the legal risk management scene and an experienced practice leader will look at the challenges of identifying, dealing with, and managing “bad clients” in today’s trying economic climate.

EVOLVING RULES AND TRENDS IN LAW FIRM COMPLIANCE

This panel will review how evolving industry rules, continuing economic pressures, growing client concerns and new international regulatory requirements are driving the need for improved risk, confidentiality and compliance measures. This session will discuss:

• Scenarios driving the need for controlling internal access to information (drivers including client, regulatory and insurance concerns)
• Recent changes to the ABA Model Rules affecting lateral hiring screening requirements
• How technology creates new risks while at the same time offering a path to better manage risk and foster a more risk aware culture
• Unifying policy management and internal auditing
• Leveraging compliance for competitive and business development advantage

Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference

Date: March 3-5, 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
More Information: Web Site

The Ninth Annual Conference is focused on current and important developments in the law and litigation of malpractice claims, legal malpractice insurance and risk management strategies.

The 2010 Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference offers interactive panels comprised of leaders in their respective fields, from professional liability practitioners and law firm general counsel to insurance professionals. Each panel will provide a comprehensive examination of current developments with an emphasis on recent legal decisions.

Risk Sessions of Note:

Managing Client and Law Firm Data, and What Gives When Client and Firm Policies Conflict?
Discovery requests, including federal disclosure requirements, raise questions about the need to produce certain types of electronic documents and communications. The casual use of intra-firm emails can create potentially embarrassing, and, sometimes, damaging evidence. These concerns warrant examination of law firm policies and practices. This session will discuss how firms can minimize their risks and how to respond to such requests.

Advance Conflict Waivers, Screening and How to Do It
What makes some advance conflicts waivers succeed while others fail? What, if anything, is the effect of the 2009 amendment to the ABA Model Rules which allows screening when lawyers move from one private firm to another? And what should or must be included to have an effective screen, whether under the ABA Model Rules or by private agreement? Learn the answers to these and other real-world questions from hands-on practitioners who regularly address them. There is both art and science here, and both can be learned.