Cleveland Law Library Weblog

ABA Publishes New 50-State Survey of Legal Malpractice Law

The ABA has just published a new 50-state survey of legal malpractice law. According to the ABA, "This guide provides a state-by-state review of laws in each state pertaining to the laws of lawyer liability. Each chapter is devoted to the law of each state, written by lawyers in that particular state for easy comparison. Whether a lawyer is involved in litigating legal malpractice actions or merely wants to understand more about these matters, this book is intended to serve as a resource to how the law varies state by state."

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor and OSBA President Carol Marx Have Issued Video Messages in Remembrance of Law Day Today

President Eisenhower 1st established Law Day in 1958. Ten years later, in 1968, Congress recognized May 1st as the official day to celebrate Law Day. Today, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor has issued a video message in remembrance of Law Day. This year's theme is “No Courts. No Justice. No Freedom."   Expounding on this theme, Justice O'Connor states that:

“This Law Day is an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to ensuring that our courts are properly funded... It is an opportunity to see to it that access to justice is universal; that the courthouse doors are open to all; and that we always have fair, impartial, and peaceful venues to resolve our disputes.”

Ohio State Bar Association President Carol Marx has also issued a video message and a written statement, both with a theme similar to Justice O'Connor's.

ABA Declares October 16-22 as Mediation Week

In addition to Pro Bono Week (Oct. 23-29, 2011) that the ABA started a few years ago, the ABA has now dedicated another week in October, from October 16-22, as Mediation Week. This year's theme is "Civility and Civil Public Discourse," and the ABA has stated that:

"Lawyers and mediators play a special role in promoting civility and civil public discourse.    In their use of mediation and in other endeavors, lawyers can encourage  and model the use of civility, non-disparagement, dialogue, problem solving, and other collaborative  practices by other lawyers, public officials,  community leaders  and members of the general public."

Ohio State Bar Association's New Tech Blog Provides Helpful Information

The Ohio State Bar Association's new Tech Blog called "Technically Speaking..." provides very helpful information and tips. It is written by Fred Engel, the OSBA's Director of Technology. This blog covers a number of topics, including e-mail, the Internet, phones, scanners, security, software and websites. The best tip I found lately was Fred's discussion of http://join.me, which is a free alternative to programs such as WebEx and GoToMeeting and allows you to share your screen with up to 200 other people. It is great for a simple webinar-all you need is the telephone component to also share your voice with viewers. Thanks to Fred and the OSBA, I'll be using http://join.me later this week.

OSBA Certifies 31 New Paralegals

As part of its annual credentialing process, the Ohio State Bar Association has certified 31 new paralegals in the state of Ohio. Locally in Cleveland, congratulations go to the following individuals:

Mary O. Fogg, Brindza McIntyre & Seed LLP

Jessica L. Kubiak, Zoller Biacsi LPA

Chris Sedar, Skirbunt, Skirbunt & Wirtz

Angela Simonyi, Weisman, Kennedy & Berris

For more information, you can read the OSBA's Press Release, which provides the names of all of the successful candidates and explains the credentialing process.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Issues 1st Advisory Opinion

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association has just issued its first Advisory Opinion. Interestingly, the Opinion answers the question: "Do the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct restrict a lawyer's ability to have a sexual relationship with clients or others?" The short answer is yes, unless the lawyer withdraws from representation first. The full Opinion is available on the CMBA's website.

OSBA Issues Updates 2011 Version of its Award-Winning Online Book: OfficeKeeper

The Ohio State Bar Association has issued an updated, 2011 version of its award-winning online book called OfficeKeeper. This ebook is a great resource for "opening, maintaining and closing a law office." It contains chapters on:

• Opening and Maintaining a Law Practice, including choosing a business entity, developing a business plan, basic office equipment and office space considerations;
• Time Billing and Accounting, including trust accounts, fraud prevention and financial accounting;
• Case Management, including conflict checks, retainers, timekeeping and docketing, client communications, and case management software systems;
• Office Staff, including hiring/firing, payroll, performance reviews and shared staff;
• Marketing, including what is permitted, networking and specialization;
• Practice Challenges, including cash flow, substance abuse, burnout and how to avoid malpractice;
• Quality of Life, including pro bono opportunities, career satisfaction and achieving a balanced life; and
• Closing/Selling a Law Practice, including law practice valuation, records retention and professional responsibility issues.

A librarian from our Law Library authors the section on your Law Library.

 

OSBA Gears Up to Certify New Paralegals in 2011

The Ohio State Bar Association is gearing up to certify new Ohio paralegals in 2011. The OSBA website sums up the benefits of becoming certified:

"For lawyers, this credential makes it easier to identify the best qualified paralegal professionals. For clients and the public, it demonstrates that a paralegal has met a uniform standard of professionalism."

Applications are now being accepted at the following website until March 31st: www.ohiobar.org/paralegalcert

 

Thomson Reuters Will Soon Become the ABA's Primary Book Publisher

Written by Kathy Sasala, December 3, 2010
Thomson Reuters, which offers Westlaw, legal research books, and other products, will soon become the ABA's primary book publisher, according to TR's online newsletter, Legal Current. Through this new arrangement, the ABA hopes to better manage the production and delivery of its books.