Attorneys to speak at Claims and Litigation Management Conference

Karen Smyth, Joe Garin and Dax Watson, from the law firm of Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C., will be featured on panels of professional liability industry professionals at the 2016 Claims and Litigation Management Boston Conference held on July 14-15.

Karen Smyth, a partner in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office and president of the Michigan Claims and Litigation Management Chapter, will discuss "Cyber Attacks on Professionals - How Far Will They Raise The Standard of Care?" This session will discuss types of attacks against professionals that give rise to claims by their clients, how to prevent and then defend lawsuits relating to such attacks, and the quandary of the standard of care: The more we improve how we deal with attackers the higher the standard becomes for everyone. Smyth has considerable experience in the defense of professional liability cases, including legal malpractice, medical malpractice, and employment practices litigation. She is a graduate of the Litigation Management Institute.

Joe Garin, managing partner of the firm's Las Vegas office, will discuss "The Lawyers: Global Perspectives on Data Collection, Transfer, Use and Disclosure." This panel will cover expense and loss exposure to law firms and their clients inherent in data collection, transfer, use and disclosure; describe the emerging legal, regulatory and ethical issues facing the legal profession; and explore techniques to manage and transfer these risks. Garin is consulted nationally on the defense of professional liability claims, ethics, employment, insurance coverage disputes, director and officer claims, and risk management. He is also experienced in complex and commercial litigation matters, including cases involving breach of contract and unfair business practices. He is a graduate of the Litigation Management Institute.

Dax Watson, managing partner of the firm's Phoenix office, will discuss "Ripped From the Headlines, Don't Be Next!" Panelists will discuss case studies and volunteer commentary on legal issues and ethical implications. This presentation focuses on identifying these social media risks through recent headlines. The panel will emphasize how lawyers, insureds, claim professionals, and risk managers can successfully navigate social media. Watson's practice is focused in commercial litigation with an emphasis in real estate matters and professional liability defense. He defends professionals in the fields of real estate, law, accounting, architecture, and engineering. He also defends officers, directors and employers in employment practice liability disputes. Watson has appeared and represented clients in every county in Arizona; and has extensive litigation and civil trial experience, having tried dozens of jury trials.

Published: Thu, Jul 14, 2016