Earlier this year Hirst Applegate initiated a review of its Risk Management Plan.  After months of researching the best practices for law firms, reviewing the various Wyoming rules applicable to attorneys, and reviewing the firm’s practices, Hirst Applegate adopted a revised Risk Management Plan.  Kara Ellsbury, a Senior Associate Attorney with Hirst Applegate, led the firm’s efforts to update the Risk Management Plan and recently gave a presentation to Hirst Applegate’s attorneys and staff regarding the Risk Management Plan.  Ms. Ellsbury’s presentation focused on the best practices for ensuring client satisfaction and reducing the risks of grievances and malpractice claims, as well as reducing other risks related to the practice of law, including practice management, financial, information technology, environmental, and strategic risks.  The presentation included a review of the relevant Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, other Wyoming rules for attorneys, and recommendations by the American Bar Association, and discussed specific examples of recent cases related to attorney misconduct and the lessons to be learned and mistakes to be avoided from those cases.  Ms. Ellsbury’s practice areas include civil litigation, contract litigation, employment law and litigation, personal injury and wrongful death litigation, trucking litigation, and public utilities and energy law.