Under SCR 20:5.7, lawyers and law firms may avoid vicarious liability by practicing law as limited liability organizations, such as limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), or service corporations (S.C.s).
According to Clay R. Williams, Milwaukee, one of the attorneys responsible for submitting the rule to the supreme court for its approval, which became effective March 18, 1997. "Compliance with the rule insulates the law firm owner or owners, even a sole practitioner, from general creditors of the firm. Thus, attorneys practicing in groups can insulate themselves from the acts or omissions of other attorneys within the firm by compliance with the rule."
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