Product Description

Getting paid for work performed is critical in maintaining a successful law practice. However, doing so without liability exposure or licensing issues can be challenging— particularly so in the family law context. How do you write fee agreements to minimize the challenge of collecting your fees? When and how can you get attorney’s fees while a case is pending? How do you collect fees when a client changes attorneys and there is an unpaid bill? Is it ever a good idea to sue a client for legal fees? How and when can an attorney file an attorney’s lien? What ethical issues are in play when there is a dispute about the fees? How do you protect yourself when someone other than the client is paying the bill?

This seminar provides practitioners with helpful advice on how to manage representation of clients in a manner that maximizes the chances of being paid without triggering liability and ethical concerns. Learn the nuts and bolts of collecting and securing legal fees in your family law practice from a panel of experienced practitioners. Hear what works and, perhaps most importantly, what doesn’t work! 

Agenda & Materials

• 2:00pm - 2:05pm

  Welcome and Introduction

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  
• 2:05pm - 2:30pm

  Fee Agreements

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  
• 2:30pm - 2:55pm

  Tips for Successful Client Relations

  Tannaz N. Saponaro, Esq., Saponaro Law Offices PLLC , Wellesley
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  
• 2:55pm - 3:20pm

  Attorneys' Liens

  Rachel Deering, Verrill Dana LLP , Boston
  
• 3:20pm - 3:35pm

  Break
• 3:35pm - 4:00pm

  Enforcement of Fees and Collections

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  Rachel Deering, Verrill Dana LLP , Boston
  Tannaz N. Saponaro, Esq., Saponaro Law Offices PLLC , Wellesley
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  
• 4:00pm - 4:30pm

  Ethical and Malpractice Issues

  James D. Corbo, Esq., Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers , Boston
  
• 4:30pm - 4:55pm

  Judge's Perspective Regarding Fee Orders

  Hon. Claudine T. Wyner, Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 4:55pm - 5:00pm

  "Ask the Experts" Q&A Session

  Panel
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Chair

Faculty