CHICAGO, Sept.16, 2022 — The nation’s top experts in lawyer liability and malpractice matters will discuss legal liability, malpractice and insurance issues at an American Bar Association conference on Sept. 22-23 in Bellevue, Washington, near Seattle.
What:
Fall 2022 National Legal Malpractice Conference
Sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability
When:
Thursday-Friday, Sept. 22-23
Where:
Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside
900 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, Washington
The in-person only two-day conference offers a lineup of nationally renowned speakers who will discuss the latest developments and disruptions the legal profession is facing in terms of lawyer liability and malpractice issues. Individual programs include (all times are PDT):
- “Lawyers’ Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Era: What to Expect and How to Promote Wellness in the ‘New Normal’ of Practicing Law” — Statistics have long shown a greater incidence of mental health problems — ranging from depression to anxiety to substance abuse and addiction — among lawyers than among the population at large. Evidence suggests remote working has exacerbated the potential for such problems, raising ethical and other important concerns. The panel will address these issues.
Thursday, 8:45-9:45 a.m., plenary session - “Can You Hear Me? Can You Hear Me Now? Communicating with Clients” — Lawyers in the liability field interact and deal with lawyers during a low point in their professional careers. As a result, the lawyer who is the subject of the complaint or lawsuit can be in a mental state that makes communications more difficult, be it because the lawyer is angry, avoidant or emotional and anxious. This panel, which features a behavioral scientist, an experienced claims handler, and a defense lawyer, will provide practical tips for communicating with these lawyers.
Thursday, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. - “Creating, Teaching, Mentoring and Managing a Communication Culture” — A significant percentage of malpractice claims and disciplinary matters derive from breakdowns in the attorney-client communication process. This session will emphasize the importance of and explain the building blocks needed to create a culture of appropriate communication within a law firm.
Friday, 9- 10:15 a.m., plenary session
The full conference brochure, including the schedule, is here. The ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers' Professional Liability provides information on legal malpractice claim statistics, insurance for lawyers and malpractice prevention tips in addition to educational opportunities for lawyers and others interested in the legal malpractice area.
Media are welcome to attend the conference, but must register in advance by noon EDT Wednesday, Sept. 21, by emailing [email protected]. ABA COVID protocols will be in effect and sent to those who register.
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.