Conflicts and confidentiality for law firms

Failure to handle potential conflicts and confidentiality issues effectively is one of the most common sources of client dissatisfaction.

Getting this wrong can not only damage your client relationships, but also lead to legal/regulatory action, professional indemnity implications, and loss of reputation. Managing Partner's report on Conflicts and Confidentiality for Law Firms examines the key factors that must be taken into account in order to develop effective systems and controls for your firm. It gives critical guidance on how to reduce relationship threatening conflicts and ensure that risks are identified and dealt with quickly and effectively at both a strategic and operational level. Practical guidance, case studies, and examples are provided on: How to manage your clients' expectations; Your requirements according to The SRA Handbook; The overlap with client care and other conduct duties; What the SRA will expect to see in terms of systems and controls; High risk situations including fee earners moving firms and firm mergers; and The risks relating to certain practice areas, business models, and SRA level 1 risks (a sample risk register is included).Plus, a step-by-step framework on how to health-check your firm's compliance systems and review the suitability of its policies and methods is included. Featured case studies include: A practical assessment of the compliance initiatives at FCB Manby Bowdler LLP; and an insight from Andrew Cheung (Dentons LLP) on the challenges presented by geographical and jurisdictional issues (a level 1 risk identified in the SRA Risk Index). Example scenarios are also included from IBB Solicitors highlighting the potential issues in relation to conflicts and confidentiality and how they can be identified and dealt with successfully.