‘This free CLE gives attorneys the knowledge and resources they need to avoid malpractice pitfalls and safeguard both their practices and their personal well-being’

The Florida Bar Solo & Small Firm Section will host a free, one-hour webinar, “Malpractice Avoidance Strategies:  Tips and Resources to Protect You and Your Practice,” on March 25 from 12 to 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Margaret (Peggy) Hewitt, resources and services manager for Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, is the presenter. The program is open to all and offers 1 CLE credit (1 Ethics) and 1 Technology credit.

Designed for today’s rapidly evolving legal environment, the program will address the growing risks facing practitioners — from sweeping changes in laws and procedural rules to the accelerating impact of technology and artificial intelligence. Participants will gain insights into identifying and avoiding common malpractice pitfalls, including documentation errors, failure to recognize red flags, inadequate engagement agreements, and lapses in cybersecurity practices. Register now to secure your spot.

“This is a critical time for lawyers to reassess how they manage risk in their practices,” said Hewitt. “The pace of change in technology, client expectations, and legal standards has created new vulnerabilities. This program provides practical tools and resources to help attorneys protect themselves, their clients, and their well-being.”

Hewitt brings decades of legal and risk management experience to the program. A former 20-year partner at Jones, Hurley & Hand, she has also served as in-house counsel for The Walt Disney Company, Counsel to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and an Assistant State Attorney. Her litigation background includes more than 120 jury trials, as well as extensive administrative hearings and appeals in insurance defense, employment and labor law, and workers’ compensation.

She is an AV-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell for more than 20 years and a nationally recognized presenter, having spoken at the ABA Annual Conference and the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association National Conference. Hewitt has also authored numerous legal and risk management publications and has been an accredited CEU presenter for the Florida Department of Financial Services since 2002.

According to Solo & Small Firm Section Chair John Maceluch, Jr., the program addresses urgent and growing concerns for Florida attorneys.

“Lawyers today are navigating an increasingly complex and high-risk practice environment,” said Maceluch, a partner with Sunshine Legacy Law in Panama City. “From cybersecurity threats to evolving ethical obligations, the stakes have never been higher. This free CLE gives attorneys the knowledge and resources they need to avoid malpractice pitfalls and safeguard both their practices and their personal well-being.”

Participants will leave the session with a clearer understanding of emerging risks and actionable strategies to mitigate them, along with access to valuable tools and resources to strengthen their practice management.

Suwannee County Judge Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin of Live Oak will moderate the program, which will be available afterward on The Florida Bar’s free CLE webpage.