Legal Malpractice (Lawyers Professional Liability / E&O)

• Claims alleging negligence, errors, or omissions in legal representation or advice
• Missed statutes of limitations - a common malpractice trigger in D.C.
• Conflict of interest failures, drafting errors, and inadequate legal advice
• Legal defense costs even when the claim is groundless - often the most valuable feature
• Claims-made form with retroactive date covering prior work
• Common limits: $1M/$1M to $5M/$5M depending on firm size and practice area

Firms in D.C. face high malpractice exposure - missed deadlines and procedural errors are both common and consequential.

Cyber Liability

• Data breach response: client notification, credit monitoring, forensic investigation
• Ransomware extortion and system recovery costs
• Business interruption if a cyber event disrupts firm operations
• Third-party liability if a breach exposes privileged client communications
• Regulatory fines under D.C.'s Data Breach Notification Law
• Wire fraud and social engineering coverage - increasingly common in real estate transactions

Law firms are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the sensitive information they handle.

General Liability & BOP

• Bodily injury to clients or visitors at your D.C. office
• Property damage caused by your employees during client visits or court appearances
• Personal and advertising injury (defamation claims in published materials)
• BOP bundles GL and Commercial Property at a discounted rate for firms with a fixed office
• Additional Insured for commercial landlords in D.C.

GL covers physical liability, while Malpractice/E&O covers professional errors.

Crime & IOLTA Fidelity

• Misappropriation of client funds held in IOLTA trust accounts
• Employee theft of firm funds, escrow balances, or settlement proceeds
• Forgery and check fraud on trust or operating accounts
• Computer fraud and fraudulent wire transfers
• Addresses D.C. RPC 1.15 trust account obligations from an insurance standpoint

Trust account misappropriation is a serious exposure for D.C. law firms.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

• Discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims under D.C. law
• Claims alleging hostile work environment or retaliation
• Pay equity and failure-to-promote claims in growing firms
• Defense costs in D.C. courts, where plaintiff-favorable outcomes are common
• Third-party EPLI for claims by clients or adverse parties

D.C. law covers a wide range of protected classes, increasing EPLI risk.

Workers' Compensation

• Required by D.C. law for any firm with employees
• Medical bills and lost wages for office injuries, ergonomic strain, and commute-related incidents
• Covers associates, paralegals, and administrative staff
• Employers Liability protects against employee negligence suits
• Non-compliance fines can be significant; D.C. DOL audits employers actively

Even a desk-based D.C. law office carries WC exposure.

Commercial Umbrella

• Adds $1M-$10M+ excess liability above GL, Auto, and Employers Liability
• May be required by corporate clients before retainer
• Protects partner personal assets above the firm's primary GL limits in serious claims

An umbrella is low-cost relative to the asset protection it provides.

Hired & Non-Owned Auto / Commercial Auto

• HNOA: liability when attorneys or staff use personal vehicles for court appearances or client visits
• Commercial Auto: for firms with owned vehicles
• Covers trips to D.C. courts and client offices

Attorneys driving personal cars for business create auto liability that personal policies may not cover.

D.C. RPC 1.15 - Client Fund Handling

D.C.'s Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 requires attorneys to hold client funds in a properly maintained IOLTA trust account, maintain accurate records, and promptly disburse funds when due. Commingling client and firm funds, even inadvertently, is a disciplinary violation. The D.C. Office of Bar Counsel audits trust accounts and investigates complaints - findings of misappropriation can result in suspension or disbarment. Crime / Fidelity insurance provides the financial backstop when internal controls fail and funds are stolen.

D.C. Data Breach Notification Law

D.C.'s data breach statute requires any business maintaining computerized records of personal information - including law firms holding client data - to notify affected D.C. residents promptly after discovering a breach. This obligation applies to every firm regardless of size. Cyber Liability insurance covers the notification, credit monitoring, forensic investigation, and regulatory response costs that follow a breach.

D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct - Malpractice Disclosure

D.C. RPC 1.4(c) requires attorneys who do not carry professional liability (malpractice) insurance to disclose this fact in writing to clients before commencing representation. While D.C. does not mandate malpractice coverage, the disclosure requirement creates a practical obligation - few clients in D.C.'s competitive legal market will retain a firm that discloses it has no malpractice coverage.

Proximity to D.C. Courts

Washington D.C. is home to numerous courts, including the D.C. Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Attorneys practicing regularly in these courts operate in an environment where judges are experienced and juries are considered plaintiff-favorable in personal injury matters. This context reinforces the importance of adequate malpractice limits, particularly for personal injury, criminal defense, and immigration practitioners.