Lathrop brings humor and expertise to Bay Ridge Lawyers Association meeting

December 8, 2023 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Bay Ridge Lawyers President Adam Kalish (right) presents Jimmy Lathrop with a certificate of appreciation for lecturing on "The Do's and Don'ts of Letters of Engagement” at a recent meeting.
Photos: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle

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The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association’s latest Continuing Legal Education meeting, held on November 29 at Mama Rao’s in Dyker Heights, featured Jaime Lathrop, a prominent Brooklyn attorney with a rich career in legal advocacy and education.

Lathrop, known for his commitment to rights of individuals and small businesses, led a session titled, “The Do’s and Don’ts of Letters of Engagement.” In his discussion, Lathrop emphasized the importance of clear communication between lawyers and clients.

“Jimmy has an innate ability to help people understand mundane topics by making them colorful and fun through stories and characters,” said BRLA President Adam Kalish. “It is what makes him an excellent litigator and advocate.”

Lathrop, a trustee at the Brooklyn Bar Association, detailed the necessity of the “letter of engagement” as mandated by the New York State court rule effective since 2002. This letter must outline legal services, fee structures, and billing practices to ensure mutual understanding and transparency.

Though, as Lathrop pointed out, there are exceptions to this rule, such as in cases where fees are below $3000 or for certain repeat services.

He also provided attendees with sample letters for different legal scenarios, underscoring the scope of representation, fee arrangements, and client responsibilities. Within this context, Lathrop discussed the vital role of client rights and responsibilities in the attorney-client relationship.

Lathrop used his wit and charm effectively throughout his lecture, engaging the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association with humor while discussing the importance of caution on social media in personal injury cases. His approach brought laughter and lightened the serious topic.

In his summary, Lathrop stressed the need for clients to either close their social media accounts or use them with great caution during the litigation of a personal injury claim. He highlighted that defense attorneys and insurance companies often scrutinize social media activity to find information that could undermine a claim.

The advice included avoiding posting personal information, photos, or details about the claim and making profiles private to protect against potential surveillance and misuse by opposing parties.

Lathrop, who has an office in Park Slope, has a 20-year career in real estate litigation, family court, criminal defense, landlord/tenant issues and guardianship proceedings. Graduating from Brooklyn Law School in 2002, he’s practiced in various New York courts and in Connecticut since 2004.

Lathrop’s notable roles include leading the Mortgage Foreclosure Intervention Project and participating in the Guardian Ad Litem Program. He’s held various leadership positions in the Brooklyn Bar Association and contributed to legal education and community service, earning several accolades for his work.