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Insurance Glossary

The world of insurance for law firms can be confusing, and difficult to navigate. We've created this glossary because these common insurance terms should be easy to understand.

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Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager

Since 1998, Mark Bassingthwaighte, Esq. has been a Risk Manager with ALPS, an attorney’s professional liability insurance carrier. In his tenure with the company, Mr. Bassingthwaighte has conducted over 1200 law firm risk management assessment visits, presented over 600 continuing legal education seminars throughout the United States, and written extensively on risk management, ethics, and technology. Mr. Bassingthwaighte is a member of the State Bar of Montana as well as the American Bar Association where he currently sits on the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility’s Conference Planning Committee. He received his J.D. from Drake University Law School.

3 min read

When Your Client Thinks “I Can Do Better”

Truth be told, I’ve been there as a client. It felt as if my legal matter wasn’t progressing as fast as I thought it should and it seemed to me that the attorneys were the ones getting in the way. I started to wonder if I couldn’t move things along...

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5 min read

Understanding Tail Coverage

To this day I still get the occasional call from an attorney wanting to know how to go about purchasing a tail policy and my response is always the...

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8 min read

ALPS In Brief Podcast - Episode 6: Pursue the ‘Why’ Intentionally.

Last week the ALPS team gathered for a discussion about the company’s vision this year and beyond. Afterwards Mark sat down with ALPS CEO, David...

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1 min read

Managing the Password Headache

I have given a number of presentations on the general topic of cybersecurity that always include a discussion of password best practices. You know...

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8 min read

ALPS In Brief Podcast-Episode 5: What's your speed? 3 new policies to fit your needs.

ALPS is rolling out three new policy forms this year, offering legal malpractice insurance coverage options to fit your firm’s needs. No one is...

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3 min read

My Former Client Posted What???

No one enjoys hearing feedback about themselves that is critical in nature; but don’t get me wrong. Sometimes we need to hear that we’re not meeting...

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2 min read

Gifts From Clients Aren’t Always Problem Free

Sometimes clients genuinely wish to say thanks, particularly during this time of year, and the giving of a gift can be a very appropriate and...

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6 min read

ALPS In Brief Podcast-Episode 4: Opening a Law Firm? Think About Protecting Your Future.

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2 min read

Conflicts of Interest: How Past Representations Can Become a Current Problem

Malpractice claims alleging a conflict of interest have been a serious concern for insurers for years. One of the reasons is this. Conflict of...

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9 min read

ALPS In Brief Podcast-Episode 3: Stay Away from the Gray Area. Reporting Claims.

There are a number of common questions that policyholders ask in regards to reporting claims. In this episode, ALPS Claims Attorney John Ries talks...

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3 min read

Considering Limited Scope Representation? Don’t Play Fast and Loose with the RPCs.

Let’s review the basics. ABA Model Rule 1.2 (c) allows a lawyer to limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is reasonable under the...

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5 min read

ALPS In Brief Podcast-Episode 2: Insurance as an Investment, Not Just a Line Item

Mark sits down with Julie Patterson, a longtime ALPS Business Development Representative, bringing with her two decades of experience helping law...

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6 min read

ALPS In Brief Podcast-Episode 1: A Cyber Breach - It’s Not If, It’s When.

ALPS In Brief, The ALPS Risk Management Podcast, is hosted by ALPS Risk Manager, Mark Bassingthwaighte. While in Missoula, Libby Benet, U.S. Lead...

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