Clients rightly expect their attorneys to act in their best interests and help them navigate the complexities of law. But when attorneys fail to follow through on their commitments, miss deadlines or lie to their clients, disastrous consequences can follow for the attorney in question and the law firms they represent.
Earlier this year, Florida Attorney John Atcachunas received a 91-day suspension by The Florida Bar for neglecting to file documents on time and misleading clients on their cases. One client was told by Atcachunas that he filed a lawsuit and later found out the filing never happened. Atcachunas’ case is just one example of why it is crucial to fulfill client obligations and communicate effectively with clients.
Prioritizing Case Management
Maintaining client trust is a cornerstone of any successful legal practice. Clients need to trust their attorney will do the basics like meet deadlines, complete filings and manage their cases with integrity and professionalism. When clients are left feeling disappointed and abandoned, attorneys and law firms become susceptible to malpractice claims. Those claims can lead to costly lawsuits, disciplinary action and irreparable reputational damage.
Strong case management processes are crucial to drive clear client communication, hold attorneys accountable and ensure resources and tools are available to support the matter at hand and the attorneys involved. Consider the following case management best practices for law firms:
- Setting clear expectations: At the beginning of any case, attorneys should be required to outline realistic timelines, deadlines, potential outcomes and expectations. Clients should know exactly what to expect to help minimize frustration and reduce the chances of misunderstandings. If delays or changes occur throughout the process, proactive communication can prevent clients from feeling left in the dark.
- Conducting case reviews: Law firm leadership should perform regular reviews of their cases and attorney practices. Reviewing progress and identifying potential problems early can assist firms in making the necessary adjustments before clients are impacted.
- Leveraging technology: Technology can be a helpful tool for law firms to stay on top of deadlines and improve client communication. Case management software, secure client portals and automated reminders can streamline repetitive tasks, reduce errors and ensure all aspects of a case are timely addressed.
While client management processes can help law firms prevent problems, mistakes such as missing a deadline do happen. As such, law firms should be equipped with professional liability insurance coverage to minimize the financial impact of a client complaint or malpractice claim and provide valuable support. An insurance professional who specializes in the legal industry’s unique risks can assist law firms in securing the right coverage and developing effective risk mitigation strategies.
Failing to follow through on client obligations, related deadlines and work product exposes the attorney and the law firms they represent to significant professional, legal and reputational consequences. Implementing effective case management processes, leveraging technology and securing a professional liability insurance policy will help limit errors, reduce risk and protect attorneys while safeguarding the firm’s operations and reputation. Visit https://firstindemnity.net/insurance-products/professional-liability/ to learn more about First Indemnity’s professional liability insurance coverage.