Editor Welcome

Welcome to AALA’s 2005 Summer newsletter! In this issue we continue with some familiar themes while introducing a few new ones. Peter Metzner of Dynamic Change, Inc continues his series on leadership with an article titled Mapping the Power of Personality. Cam Marsten of Marston Communications returns with an article concerned with managing across different generations titled Peter Pan in the Workforce. We also have a wonderfully written profile of AALA’s Corporate/Government Section Chair Barry Shapiro. Check out the Chapter Dates for late summer and early fall events and mark your calendars for all of the great happenings within the Association.

New to the newsletter will be a series on perhaps the most important service Legal Administrators can provide their firms, that is developing an understand of, and then instituting systems and controls to help protect your firm from professional liability claims, often referred to as loss prevention. Thomas P. Sukowicz Esq. of Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP has contributed a series of articles, beginning with Screening Clients and Cases for Profit and Safety, that deal with the issue of professional liability. Ultimate responsibility rests with your attorney’s but understanding the issues and challenges faced with screening clients, lateral partners and the intake of new work will help you develop and monitor systems and practices that will protect your attorneys. I encourage you to read this series, perhaps show it to your loss prevention partner, and if appropriate, get to know the expectations of your professional liability carrier.

There are so many facets to loss prevention that even if you read this and say to yourself “Well, I have nothing to do with the intake of new work or lateral partners...” there are areas where you, as a professional legal administrator, can still have an important impact. Those who specialize in technology can help institute technology and practices to minimize exposure from “hidden data” or metadata still resident in documents sent electronically. Additionally, there are a host of issues with remote access and wireless communications. Human Resources professionals can help safeguard client information by properly screening applicants and performing background checks on all new employees. Going forward, HR should incorporate loss prevention as part of the culture of the firm and include it in orientation and regular staff meetings. Let staff know that it is appropriate and expected of them to come forward if they see signs that something is wrong. Sometimes it may mean reporting erratic behavior or some sort of impairment, or it may be recognition of an error in judgment or execution that puts the firm at risk.

Future articles will address management ethics, engagement letters, loss prevention checklists and what to do when things do go wrong.

Lastly, I want to call upon the great knowledge and experience of our members and will be seeking contributions from within the AALA for our newsletter. Contact me or Barry Shapiro if you wish to contribute.

Thanks very much, and please let me know if you have any suggestions or comments.

Editor: Brian Gedeon (BHGedeon@duanemorris.com) (This publication is the property of the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. Reproduction or reprint without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Click here to request reprint permission.)

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