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American LegalNet Posts Risk Management Survey Results

September 30, 2016

American LegalNet (ALN) reported the results of its second annual Risk Management Survey, conducted during ILTACON 2016 in August/September.

According to a media release, the Survey aimed to benchmark which risks were most pressing for ILTA members and gauge their readiness to address them. The 2016 Survey showed that ILTA members - a mixture of law firm and corporate legal department IT, compliance, risk management, legal and support professionals - had major risk management concerns and expressed lesser degrees of confidence than last year in their capabilities to address the threats.

The 2016 Survey respondents worked for law firms of all sizes with the largest contingent (45 percent) from firms of 101-500 attorneys. The majority (71.8 percent) of respondents were law firm IT professionals including CIOs, CTOs and IT.

Highlights of the 2016 American LegalNet Risk Management Survey results:

-More General Counsels Now Bearing Risk Management Burden - Compared to the 2015 Survey's results, the 2016 Survey respondents indicated a definite shift in risk management responsibility to the General Counsel's shoulders rather than IT executives or heads of risk/compliance. In 2016, 38.16 percent of respondents said their firm's General Counsel bore the responsibility for their firm's risk management function, an 8.94 percent increase from the 2015 number (29.22 percent). CIO/CTO responsibility for risk management dropped 17.26 percent from 38.31 percent in 2015 to 21.05 percent in 2016.

-Biggest Risk Management Challenge is Cyber Threats - 55.88 percent of 2016 respondents ranked cyber threats as their #1 biggest risk management challenge - a 36.6 percent increase from 2015. This makes sense given the year's Panama Papers and DNC hacking scandals, among others.

-Changing Confidence Levels in Capability to Address and Mitigate Risk - When asked to rate their firm's overall capability to address/mitigate risk, 55 percent of respondents said they were "Capable" to deal with risk, a 14.72 percent increase from 2015. However, the "Minimal" and "We have work to do" responses increased from last year and the "More than capable" and "Extremely capable" responses both decreased, showing that respondents were less likely to express more than basic-level confidence for risk management preparedness. 85 percent of firms saw the need for further investment in risk management, though only 46.67 percent had budget to make the changes now.

-Risk of Legal Malpractice Suits Is Rising - 39.71 percent agreed with the statement "The risk of legal malpractice suits has gone up significantly in recent years." 5.88 percent disagreed and 54.51 percent said "not sure." Respondents said the biggest underlying causes of their firm's malpractice claims were: Negligence (23.53 percent), Conflicts of Interest (22.06 percent), Calendaring Errors (11.76 percent) and Missed Case Notifications (8.82 percent).

-Outdated Docketing Technology Creates Significant Risk - Since American LegalNet provides powerful docketing solutions for law firms, the survey drilled down to capture more detail about calendaring and docketing technology. More than half of responding firms (55.8 percent) said that a decentralized or outdated docketing system created significant risk. When asked whether their firm had a centralized docketing/calendaring solution, 60.66 percent of firms said "Yes" and 21.31 percent said "No, we have decentralized tools". Only 27.87 percent of respondents said their current docketing solution was built on the latest technology, indicating that many were using outdated software.

According to Erez Bustan, CEO and Founder of ALN, the 2016 American LegalNet Risk Management Survey clearly shows that law firm IT professionals are facing significant challenges protecting their firm from outside threats as well as internal liabilities. "We at American LegalNet feel strongly that technology can be the answer to bolstering law firms' confidence and strength to combat risk and prevent malpractice suits," says Bustan. "Ideally, this Survey will show law firm management how important risk management is, so they will authorize their IT leaders to invest in responsibly protecting the firm and its clients."

More Information:

http://www.alncorp.com

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

THE DAILY VIEW

  • Alexandra Scarborough
    Gilt and Sarah Jessica Parker Unveil SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal Collection for Spring

    Sarah Jessica Parker, in partnership with Gilt, kicked off the exclusive launch of SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal, Gilt’s first foray into bridal ready-to-wear that would have Carrie Bradshaw swooning.

    The collection includes dresses, skirts, bodysuits and other pieces, ranging in price from $295 to $2,395 and from sizes 0 to 14.

    "Collaborating with Gilt on my first bridal ready-to-wear collection was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Sarah Jessica Parker. "The team there is brilliant and allowed me to be imaginative and take risks as I was designing for the non-traditional bride. It has been quite fun to play around with colors, fabrics and details to create unique pieces for all kinds of brides." The collection, comprised of ten styles, is inspired by Parker's vision of a modern, non-traditional bride, and is designed to dress a woman for a variety of wedding milestone moments; from her bridal shower through her wedding reception. Styles offered are a unique mix of classic dresses and gowns, modern bodysuits, full skirts, and a jumpsuit. The color palette includes traditional bridal white, sleek black, plus pops of blush, poppy, light gray and blue.

    Designed in collaboration with Gilt, the collection was produced in New York City utilizing fabrics like cashmere and stretch crepe sourced from Spain, Italy and France.

    The pieces all feature carefully curated details like elegant bows, sophisticated cutouts, feathers, intricate embroidery and beautiful hand-stitched beading. 

    The actress and style icon is no stranger to chic bridal wear. Carrie Badshaw, famously played by Parker, took part in an elaborate bridal photo shoot in Sex and the City: The Movie. The shoot featured gowns from designers like Christian Lacroix and Lanvin. Parker famously wore a black wedding gown for her own wedding to Matthew Broderick in 1997.

    "Not only is Sarah Jessica Parker's style known around the world, her point of view is one-of-a-kind," says Tom Ott, Chief Merchant of Gilt. "Sarah Jessica brings her impeccable taste and fashion sensibility to life in this collection. We think our customers will be delighted with the offering which is stylish and well-priced in the bridal category."

    As part of the bridal launch, Gilt will also offer 15 exclusive styles from the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker footwear line, each of which are complementary to the bridal collection. 

    To correspond with the bridal collection launch, Gilt City will present offers from some of Sarah Jessica Parker's favorite places in New York City.

    The offers were each chosen as a way to help brides plan for and celebrate the big day with highlights including, Leather Spa, Lars Nord Studio Tailoring, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, among others.

    More Information:
    http://www.Gilt.com/SJP

  • Alexandra Scarborough
    Tea Forté Introduces ‘Matcha’ Collection

    Convenience meets tradition in Tea Forté’s new Ceremonial Matcha Bowl Set and the Matcha Single Steeps.

    The company said its spring harvested, shade grown, stone ground, organic matcha tea is best served in a centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu: a preparation technique known for its centering meditative qualities.

    "The launch of Tea Forté's Matcha collection represents our continued commitment to wellness and cultivating all the potential mental and physical health benefits of tea," says Tea Forté CEO Michael Gebrael. "In addition to our high quality Pure Matcha, we've also blended four distinct flavored Matcha varieties. Prepackaged in pouches measured out for a single serving, our Single Steeps Matcha is ideal for the office, travel, or to keep with you for a boost anytime."

    Tea Forté noted its handcrafted ceremonial tea bowl, handmade bamboo whisk and measuring ladle “encourages serene enjoyment of our premium Kosher, gluten-free and vegan matcha blends.” These include: Pure Matcha, Chocolate Matcha, Coconut Matcha, Ginger Matcha, and Chai Matcha.

    According to a release, in addition to its distinctive taste, matcha is prized for its health benefits. Steeped green tea contains only the antioxidants that can be extracted in water, while with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed.

    Available now in select stores and online at teaforte.com.

 

 

QUICK 5


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