Case Intake for Law Firms: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest and Professional Negligence
In a fast-paced law firm, attorneys can lose sight of some of the most fundamental concerns about avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining professional responsibility. The time at which these concerns are most crucial is at case intake and during the hiring process of attorneys and support staff.
Acceptance of a case may be inappropriate for many reasons that go beyond conflicts of interest. The client may not be trustworthy or creditworthy. The matter involved might create "bad law" for the firm's other clients if the client wins. The case may not be within the lawyer's area of expertise.
After a case is accepted, there may be reasons to disengage. In these instances, attorneys must avoid professional negligence when withdrawing representation. Billing and disclosure rules may also present issues that even the most seasoned lawyers can overlook.
Program Summary
This program is designed to provide guidance for lawyers and legal support staff in case intake, hiring, billing and withdrawing or declining representation. Its focus is on avoiding both professional negligence and conflicts of interest in a variety of tricky situations. The topics include:
- Selection of Clients and Matters
- Opening a Case
- Deposits and Advances
- Special Situations
- Disengagements
- Disengagement Letters
- Non-engagements
- Non-engagement Letters
- Conflicts Checks
- Disclosure Rules
- Informed Written Consent
- Conflicts in Hiring
- Hiring Process
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