News, Articles, and Practice Tips

We’re just beginning 2019, but cyber threats especially from well-financed foreign operatives loom large.  With that in mind, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center recently issued its program Know the Risk, Raise Your Shield  to raise awareness of these threats and provide training material and tips for best practices to address these threats. Visit the NCSC […]

The areas of probate, trust and estate planning continue to top the list for legal malpractice claims.  It’s no secret that we’re seeing the largest transfer of wealth ever with the maturing of the “Baby Boomer” generation. Here are some Practice Tips for probate practitioners to avoid common claims: Address conflicts of interest Always run a […]

Ohio attorneys, doctors, social workers and certain other professionals, are required to report abuse of adults as well as children.  Ohio Revised Code 5101.63 mandates that an attorney having a reasonable cause to believe an adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited shall immediately report that to the county department of job and family services. Ohio […]

A reminder for OBLIC insured attorneys!  If your last name begins with the letter M through Z, you must complete your continuing legal education requirements for the 2017/2019 Compliance Period by December 31, 2018. Attorneys registered for active or corporate status must complete 24 hours of CLE, including 2.5 hours of professional conduct, every two […]

Announcing a new coverage available today! In response to the employment exposures revealed by the #MeToo movement and the expanded attention on best employment practices, consider protecting your law firm. Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) protects law firm management and staff against claims of wrongful termination, hiring, discrimination (age, sex, race, disability, etc.) or sexual harassment from […]

Interesting insight is available in the 2018 Legal Trends Report issued by CLIO.  CLIO is one of the practice management tools and services of the Ohio State Bar Association. The report looks at indicators of law firm success, what clients look for when hiring an attorney and how client satisfaction impacts business.  It’s no surprise that […]

At this time of year, we at OBLIC pause to express our appreciation for the opportunity to be of service to you! To give thanks for those who enrich our lives & to count our blessings!

ABA Formal Opinion 483, just issued October 17, 2018, explains Lawyers’ Obligations After an Electronic Data Breach or Cyberattack. This Opinion continues the discussion begun in ABA Formal Opinion 477R Securing Communication of Protected Client Information, that it is a lawyer’s ethical responsibility to use reasonable efforts when communicating client confidential information using the internet. Opinion 483 indicates that the […]

Over the years OBLIC has encountered numerous claims caused by a blown deadline, often relating to the filing of a Complaint or perfecting an appeal. In some instances, attorneys believed the relevant deadline was met, or would be met, based on a representation by court personnel that action would be or had been timely taken […]

In an opinion decided on September 25, 2018, the Ohio Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor writing for the majority, concluded “that an oil-and-gas lease falls within the definition of “real estate” in R.C. 4735.01(B), the negotiation of which requires a real-estate-broker’s license pursuant to R.C. 4735.01(A) and 4735.02(A).” In its analysis, the Court […]