Join us as we discuss Model Rule 1.1 – the lawyers’ duty of competence, which the majority of states have amended to address technology competency. Our interactive panel discussion will cover a range of key topics, including:
- What has changed and why?
- What does this mean for lawyers?
- Best practices for staying on top of the new rule, including the paperless office (file documentation, email orders, and docketing).
We will also weave in real claims examples relating to errors that led to, or could lead to, increased exposure to firms, highlighting cases where the “technology excuse” argument did not prevail in court. Additionally, the panel will provide real-world examples of poor litigation conduct in zoom hearings, depositions, and mediations and discuss how this can lead to a rise in disciplinary complaints or legal malpractice claims.
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Panelists
Christopher M. Wolfe
Vice President of Claims for Executive and Professional Lines
Coaction Specialty Insurance
Christopher is a Vice President of Claims for Executive and Professional lines at Coaction Specialty Insurance. In this role Christopher leads a claims team handling Professional Indemnity claims, including Lawyers, Accountants, Employment Practices and Credit Union Fidelity Bond and Management Security liability. Christopher has been an attorney for 23 years and has 16 years of experience in the insurance industry, gaining expertise in a broad range of specialty, professional and management liability products (Small Business D&O, Not for Profit Institutions, EPL, School Leaders, Tech E&O, Media, Financial Institutions, Excess and ReInsurance) for public and private companies, as well programs experience with Country Clubs and Homeowners Associations. Christopher, throughout his career, has mediated over 75 claims on behalf of his insureds. Christopher joined Coaction in October 2021 and prior to that held various positions of increasing responsibility at AIG, where he handled a variety of complex claims and litigation within the Executive and Professional Lines. While with his previous employer, Christopher attended an Executive Management Program at the University of Kansas, which afforded him experiences with claims handling innovation and processes, as well as expert negotiation skills. Prior to his insurance career Christopher was in private practice handling legal malpractice, insurance and employment defense litigation for a reputable New Jersey law firm. Christopher received his BA from Seton Hall University and his JD from New York Law School.
Jennifer Groszek
Vice President, Claims Advocate Lead
ProQuest, a division of Alliant
Jennifer Groszek is a Vice President, Claims Advocate Lead at ProQuest, a division of Alliant. Jennifer provides risk management, claims advocacy, coverage & claims management consulting services to clients nationwide. She has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney and claims & business consultant. Her background in both the public and private sectors has enabled her to develop broad-based expertise that she employs to provide risk management and practical claims solutions to clients. In her previous in-house roles, Jennifer managed large environmental claims and high exposure D&O and E&O matters with a focus on litigation management, comprehensive case evaluation, claim management and coverage evaluation along with trial strategy. As a former prosecutor and civil litigator, she has extensive litigation experience, including 10 jury trials and countless bench trials. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Studies and French from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. She recently obtained a Certificate in Brand Management from Cornell University. Further, Jennifer obtained her Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner (CPLP) designation in 2022.
Samantha L. Rowles
Partner
Fields Howell LLP
Samantha Lemery Rowles serves as coverage and monitoring counsel for several international and domestic insurance carriers, focusing on professional liability claims against law firms, nursing homes, architects, engineers, designers and contractors, and other professionals. She assists professionals in identifying potential exposure and managing risk. Samantha also has direct defense experience and has represented clients in a broad spectrum of matters including products liability, medical malpractice, real estate, commercial, automobile liability, and attorney malpractice litigation. Her clients have included product manufacturers, medical practitioners, healthcare facilities, and a Fortune 500 company. She has successfully crafted creative prelitigation solutions to address her clients’ concerns, as well as aggressively defended her clients in both state and federal court litigation. She also helps organizations navigate regulatory investigations. Additionally, Samantha has been retained to advise clients regarding cyber and privacy-related risks. For example, Samantha directed a forensic investigation of a personal device to assess whether the device was compromised and analyzed the implications of the release of personal information to unauthorized recipients. Samantha assembles a team of experts to identify the scope of the problem, manage the exposure, and prevent future incidents. Samantha received her Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 2008.
CA License No. 0C36861
© 2022 ProQuest, a division of Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.