Legal malpractice claim avoidance and compliance with ethical norms constitute a significant portion of the practice of law. Many firms have attorneys and professionals solely or at least partially dedicated to addressing and resolving potential risks to the practice.

As we begin a new year, the next several articles in this space will address the Biblical “seven deadly sins” through the lens of legal practice: sloth, pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony and wrath. Even where lawyers and firms take special steps to prevent claims or comply with their ethical obligations, attorneys and firms still create risks for themselves by failing to answer to the better angels of their nature.

Although lawyers, as a profession, are considered to be detail-oriented and hard-working, some common mistakes made by lawyers are a result of a lack of attention. Indeed, attorneys can inadvertently fall into traps or routines in their practices that could increase potential exposure.