 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Bar News - July 6, 2001 NH Bar Announces Publication of 'Client Relations' Manual THE NEW HAMPSHIRE Bar Association is pleased to announce the publication of "Client Relations: Forms, Letters & Useful Information." This book, targeted to solo and small firm practitioners, contains information, forms and samples of client intake, client communications and office procedures. Also included is a disk that contains forms found in the book for use in your practice. In the upcoming weeks all law firms in NH will be receiving a copy of "Client Relations: Forms, Letters & Useful Information." Through a generous donation by the American National Lawyers Insurance Reciprocal (ANLIR), all law firms in NH will receive at least one copy of the book and firms with 10 or fewer attorneys will receive a copy for each member of the firm. The information and forms contained in this publication were designed to assist the legal practitioner in making his or her practice more efficient, while helping the attorney to avoid client trouble either by way of Professional Conduct complaints or malpractice suits. The publication of this book highlights the Bar’s commitment to assisting its members in avoiding unnecessary client complaints and administrative errors. A recent survey by the ABA’s Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability titled "Profile of Legal Malpractice Claims 1996-1999" states that 35 percent of alleged errors were either in client relations or administrative complaints. The prevailing alleged error in client relations was the failure to obtain consent from or inform clients and the largest alleged error in administrative complaints was the failure to calendar properly. An informal survey of the cases reviewed by the NH Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Committee showed that disputes over billing and miscommunication between attorney and client are the prevailing issues for NH attorneys. The "Client Relations" book has practical and instructive information on both calendar control and client intake, which will be of great assistance in avoiding certain errors and issues with clients. In addition to being mailed to law firms, the publication will also be available on the NH Bar Association Web site, in the near future. The Bar hopes attorneys will find the book a valued and helpful resource in their practice. It is a proven fact that attorneys who return phone calls, correspond with their clients regularly and make sure their services and fees are reduced to writing have fewer complaints filed against them, fewer problems with their clients and provide better legal services. A goal of the New Hampshire Bar Association has always been to assist its membership in maintaining successful and productive relationships with their clients and colleagues. As a further resource for attorneys, a Law Practice Management "tip of the month" will be featured in both Bar News, beginning with the Sept. 7, 2001 issue of Bar News. "Client Relations: Forms, Letters & Useful Information" is the product of the hard work and dedication of the members of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Section and the generous support of ANLIR. New Hampshire practitioners are strongly encouraged to maintain professional liability insurance. To contact the NHBA-endorsed professional liability insurance program, ANLIR, call 1-800-876-8847.
|
|
Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store New Hampshire Bar Association |
