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Become a Technologically Competent Lawyer
March 5, 2020Here are a few suggestions that can help lawyers with computer security, excerpted from a TLIE CLE course free for insureds entitled Making Lawyers Technologically Competent. These suggestions are not meant to create a standard of care, but are often commonly suggested by security experts and of particular use to Read the full post
Amended Comment 8 to Rule 1.01 Brings Lawyer Technological Competence to the Forefront
March 5, 2020The Texas Supreme Court, in an order in Misc. Docket No. 19-9016, February 26, 2019, adopted an amendment to Comment 8 to Texas Disciplinary Rule 1.01, Competent and Diligent Representation. The amendment adds the “risks and benefits of relevant technology” to the general admonition that lawyers “should strive to become Read the full post
TLIE Gives Back $4.5 Million to Insureds
January 6, 2020TLIE celebrated its first 40 years in business this year and is still going strong as the only insurance company in Texas owned by the lawyers it insures. Claims against TLIE insureds have declined in recent years producing strong financial results for TLIE and its members. In recognition of that success, on Read the full post
TLIE Declares $3,000,000 Distribution for 2018
January 16, 20192018 was another good year for TLIE and its insureds. Based on a substantial decline in claims made against TLIE insureds, financial results in recent years have been extraordinary and produced record high gains and policyholder distributions. This year marked a return to normalcy with claims against TLIE insureds clearly Read the full post
Revisions to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and the Disciplinary Rules of Procedure
September 11, 2018On March 1, effective on June 1, 2018, the Texas Supreme Court changed both the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules of Procedure for grievances. The Court indicated in two orders that the changes might be modified based on comments received up to April 28, 2018, but no subsequent Read the full post
TLIE Declares $5,000,000 Distribution
January 3, 20182017 was another very good year for Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange and our members. In years that premiums earned exceed projected claims, TLIE returns money to its insureds in the form of a policyholder distribution. I am pleased to report that on December 15, 2017, TLIE’s Board of Directors declared Read the full post
A Hacked Email Account: The Special Dangers for Lawyers
November 27, 2017Many people have had their email accounts hacked-a third party has gained control over the email account. Perhaps the most common sign is receiving emails or calls from many people who are in your email contacts saying they have gotten an email from you with an attachment that doesn’t seem Read the full post
What a Good Data Security Program Looks Like
November 27, 2017Law firms need a data security plan. Here is an outline of the major points that should be considered in the structure of law firm data security programs. Management level responsibility for security. Data security cannot simply be farmed out to IT consultants. Lawyers need to be involved because of their Read the full post
The Implications of ABA Opinion 477 for Texas Lawyers’ Use of the Internet for Communication
November 27, 2017The opening paragraph summarizing ABA Formal Ethics Opinion 477 places requirements on lawyers using the Internet to transmit client information: A lawyer generally may transmit information relating to the representation of a client over the internet without violating the Model Rules of Professional Conduct where the lawyer has undertaken reasonable Read the full post
TLIE Adds Cyber Coverage for Most Insureds
November 27, 2017Every lawyer and law firm employee today depends on computers to do their job. Law firm records, work-product and client information are all stored on computers and across networks, and transactions are commonly conducted electronically. Computer technology has improved the delivery of legal services in many ways, but not without Read the full post