Published Articles

Afraid To Take Time Off?
September 2009
A good work-life balance can make you a better lawyer and less likely to make costly mistakes. Whether you are thinking about reducing your hours, working from home, taking sabbaticals, or just leaving work at the office on weekends, it may be worth making a change if it helps you do your job better and serve your clients more effectively.
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Should You Take On A Bankruptcy Case?
July 2009
Make sure you know what you’re doing before you expand your practice by taking on a bankruptcy case – or any other matter outside your usual practice area.
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Be a Choosy Lawyer
May 2009
Client selection is even more important during an economic downturn, especially for solo practitioners and lawyers with small practices who might feel pressure to ignore the risk and accept a client or case outside their practice area.
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Using Office Staff Effectively
March 2009
Good lawyers know they need excellent employees to help with administrative procedures and timely client communications, thereby reducing the risk of malpractice claims and increasing satisfaction in your successful practice.
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Effect of Economy on Malpractice Claims
December 2008
According to a recent ABA study, the economy affects malpractice claims. Not only does the frequency of malpractice claims go up as the economy goes down but also different practice areas are more vulnerable to claims than others.
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Avoiding Common Malpractice Mistakes
September 2008
Some of the most frequently made mistakes leading to malpractice claims are also the most preventable.
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Avoiding the Dangers of Metadata
June 2008
Not paying attention to metadata in electronic files can cause embarrassment and serious damage to your practice and reputation. You must keep confidential information confidential. Here's why.
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The Art of Client Selection
March 2008
Turning down cases isn't easy, but sometimes it's necessary. Here are some things to think about when deciding whether to represent a potential client or accept a particular legal matter.
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Blogging in Today's Electronic Age
December 2007
Blogging may be a useful communication tool for law firms, but if you blog, proceed with caution, because you risk creating an attorney-client relationship and giving legal advice - both no-nos in this electronic age.
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Risky Practice Areas
March 2007
Some practice areas by their nature generate more disciplinary grievances and malpractice insurance claims than others. If you practice in plaintiffs' personal injury, real estate, family, estate planning, or criminal law, make sure you're not making common mistakes that increase your risk exposure even more.
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Breaking Up is Hard to Do
December 2006
Before your lawfirm breaks up, protect your clients' interests and protect yourself from potential malpractice claims by establishing some practical procedures.
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Managing Your Practice Finances
September 2006
Actively managing your finances strengthens your practice and helps to make you a better lawyer. Well-managed practices experience fewer malpractice and ethics-related claims, and a well-run practice improves client satisfaction.
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Preparing a Disaster Recover Plan
June 2006
We witnessed the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and more recently, Wilma. We don’t worry much about hurricanes in Wisconsin, but the most recent destruction from Mother Nature makes it clear that disaster can strike at any time. Some disasters simply cannot be anticipated.
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Personal Injury Lawyers Beware
December 2005
Personal injury practice gives rise to the greatest number of legal malpractice claims, especially document errors and claims that the PI lawyer failed to perform due diligence in seeking all insurance policies that could benefit a client.
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Better case selection means better case management - and a happier you
August 2005
Whenever you take a new case, a myriad of possible results exists. The case could be a winner, a loser, one that brings in a substantial amount of money, or one that simply provides the satisfaction of making a contribution to the development of the law and improves the life of the client. You accept cases for different reasons — and sometimes you live to regret your decision.
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Beware Suing for Unpaid Fees
November 2005
Suing for unpaid fees can backfire into a malpractice counterclaim, affect your liability insurance, cost you time and peace of mind, and just plain generate bad will. Avoid fee disputes in the first place by using good billing and practice methods. Here's how.
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Retired But Still Liable
December 2004
This final column in the series "Taking Down the Shingle" addresses the professional liability of retired lawyers whose names remain on the firm letterhead.
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Sole Practitioners Need Written Contingency Plan
August 2004
Everyone is counting on you. What if something happens? Find out how sole practitioners can create a safety net for their practices. This column is the second in a series, "Taking Down the Shingle," that addresses liability issues related to interruptions in law practice.
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Handle Personal Injury Practice with Care
April 2004
Handle personal injury practice with care.
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Act Quickly to Recover Damaged Records
June 2003
Learn how to protect, recover, and restore vital records in this second of a series of columns about records management and disaster recovery.
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Notary Public Title Incurs Responsibility
June 2002
Take this true-false quiz to test your knowledge as a notary public.
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Plan for Absence from Practice
June 2002
This column is the first in a series, "Taking Down the Shingle," that will address liability issues related to planned or unplanned interruptions in law practice.
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