George, you seem to miss the point. Attorneys are held to a higher standard. They are not expected to make mistakes. They have been educated in the law (real estate included), they have been tested in the bar exam, they have been licensed by both the state and federal courts. When a client consults an attorney, he is expected to provide his best efforts. This means no mistakes. My employee attorney's understood this up front because the profession has made it clear to them, and I reminded them of it at the time they were hired. It is the challenge that the attorneys are expected to undertake when they represent clients..

In so far as "screw ups" are concerned...I have not had a claim made against me yet in 22 years. My employees knew that they were in under my insurance, and that I damn well would be pissed if it were cancelled because of their error. Their "screw up" would have become a black mark against me personally in the profession under the doctrine of respondeat superior. It is a very rewarding profession, but also an unforgiving one.

My system seems to have worked. In 22 years I have had to discharge only one attorney...for matters unrelated to title work. The others were very productive...and careful.