Overview   

Effective risk management is fundamental to maintaining integrity, trust, and sustainability in legal practice. From managing professional indemnity insurance to mitigating operational and reputational risks, law firms must adopt proactive strategies to protect both the firm and individual practitioners. This webinar explores the key areas of professional risk, the role of mandates in managing exposure, and the practical measures required to uphold professional responsibility and ethical compliance in line with the Legal Practice Act. 

Join Lisa Thomas on 5 December 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, as she unpacks the essential elements of risk management in legal practice, offering practical tools and insights to help legal professionals strengthen internal controls, prevent malpractice, and foster a culture of accountability.     

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Identify and manage the main categories of professional and firm-level risk in legal practice. 
• Understand the scope, benefits, and limitations of professional indemnity insurance. 
• Implement effective risk mitigation strategies, including internal controls and documentation procedures. 
• Apply the principles of professional privilege and client mandate management to reduce liability. 
• Develop and maintain a risk-aware culture within your firm through supervision, training, and policy development.   

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Firm Risk & Personal Professional Risk (Including Insurance) 
  o Types of professional risks in legal practice 
  o Professional indemnity insurance: coverage and exclusions 
  o Internal firm risk assessment and management processes 
  o Financial, reputational, and operational risks 

• Risk Aggravation Factors & Risk Mitigation Measures 
  o Common causes of legal malpractice claims 
  o Risks arising from client selection, communication, and documentation 
  o Establishing internal controls and quality assurance processes 
  o Using checklists, policies, and audit trails to prevent errors 

• Professional Privilege and the Client Mandate 
  o Understanding attorney–client privilege and its limitations 
  o Proper documentation and defining the scope of mandates 
  o Managing conflicts of interest 
  o Maintaining confidentiality and implementing data protection practices 

• The Mandate’s Role in Managing Risk 
  o Drafting clear and effective engagement letters 
  o Setting appropriate fee arrangements and managing client expectations 
  o Procedures for reviewing and terminating mandates 
  o Recordkeeping and compliance with Legal Practice Act requirements 

• Candidate Attorneys & Professional Risk 
  o Supervisory duties and training responsibilities 
  o Delegation versus accountability in legal work 
  o Preventing errors and omissions through supervision 
  o Fostering a culture of professional responsibility within the firm 

• Supplementary Resource: Law Firm Risk Policy Template 
  o Components of a comprehensive risk management policy 
  o Defining roles and responsibilities in risk oversight 
  o Risk reporting and incident management processes 
  o Continuous improvement and policy review mechanisms 

About the presenter 

Lisa Thomas 

Adv Lisa Thomas is a former criminal defence advocate and in-house counsel in Durban, Lisa has seen the law practice from both sides. She graduated with her LLB, completed her pupillage, and was admitted as an advocate in 2008. Her current area of interest is in alternative dispute resolution, specifically mediation. She is a maverick for humanity and ethics within the legal profession in South Africa with a focus on candidate attorneys 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Candidate attorneys 

• Law students  

• Pupil advocates  

• Paralegals 

• Junior legal practitioners 

Price 

• R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual. 

  • Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)  

  • Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)  

  • Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users 

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here  to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here  to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/ or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar. 

About SA Legal Academy 

Welcome to SA Legal Academy (SALA), a provider of courses to help you succeed in your chosen career. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Our courses are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and enhance your career prospects. With our experienced training staff and comprehensive resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training from SA Legal Academy. 

SALA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses. 

Corporate Training Solutions 

At SALA, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in legal and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. 

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios. 

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 012 941 0448. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals. 

Contact Us For More Information 

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!  

• Online chat through our website.  

• Phone: +27 (0) 12 941 0448  

• E-mail: [email protected]