Insurance for Legal Aid Services Lawyers Professional Liability is a specific type of professional liability insurance designed to protect lawyers who work for non-profit legal aid organizations that provide legal services to low-income individuals and disadvantaged communities. These policies are tailored to the unique needs of these lawyers, who face unique risks due to the complex legal issues they handle and the vulnerable populations they serve.
LAS-LPL policies provide coverage for claims related to legal advice, document drafting, representation, and other activities related to legal aid services. Common claims in this area include allegations of failing to properly advise clients on their legal options, errors in drafting legal documents, and disputes related to representation in court.
Many liability risks stem from simple oversight, not deliberate misconduct. That's why we continually add to and enhance our risk control tools and services. From online tool kits to seminars, we help you assess and manage your potential risks and liabilities.
LAS-LPL policies may also provide coverage for defense costs, settlements, or judgments arising from covered claims. The policies can be customized to meet the specific needs of individual lawyers or organizations, with options for coverage limits, deductibles, and additional endorsements.
Given the importance of legal aid services and the unique risks faced by lawyers who provide them, insurers that offer LAS-LPL policies may also provide policyholders with access to specialized risk management resources, such as educational materials, training programs, and consultations with legal aid experts.
The Legal Aid Insurance Program offers: a wide range of coverages which have been created to address the unique needs of public defenders, legal aid societies, pro bono programs, law school clinics, public interest groups, and others who work to make sure that quality legal services are available for the poor and underprivileged. *Coverage Highlights include the following:
- Broad definition of "Insured" includes "any person who was, is or hereafter during the policy period becomes a lawyer, employee, member, or volunteer of the Named Insured while rendering Professional Services for or on behalf of clients of the Named Insured."
- Broad definition of "Professional Services" extends coverage to include "professional services adjunct to said legal services" thereby reflecting an understanding of and an appreciation for the diversity of services provided by policyholders.
- The full amount of the professional liability limit is extended to personal injury claims in the rendering of professional services.
Retroactive dates (if any), which appear on a prior policy, are matched.
- The policy wording contains the insurer's commitment to respect the preference of the policyholder in the selection of defense counsel. To date, policyholders' preference has been accommodated each time a preference has been expressed.
- The policy provides coverage for damages and claims expenses ... caused "by any Act of the Insured, or any other person for whose Acts the Insured is legally responsible, and arising out of the rendering of or failure to render Professional Services by or on behalf of the Insured for clients of the Named Insured."
- Available Optional Endorsements: Criminal Defense Endorsement, Employment Practices Coverage Endorsement, Management Liability Errors & Omissions Endorsement, Outside Practice of Law Endorsement, Primary Pro Bono Endorsement, Injunctive Relief Defense and Punitive Damages Endorsement.
*Some coverages may not be available to all firms or in all states. See policy for specific details