Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney acts in a way that is outside the scope of his or her professional duty or otherwise fails to conduct him or herself in an ethical way. It does not occur simply because a client is unhappy with the outcome of his or her case....
Legal Malpractice
Can you file a malpractice claim against a public defender?
As an American, you have some fundamental and important rights. The Bill of Rights, which are the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, spells out many of these. The Sixth Amendment, for example, gives you the right to have an attorney for most phases of...
Can an attorney introduce false evidence in court?
The job of an attorney is to represent his or her client's interests while observing standards for ethical behavior in the legal profession. If an attorney behaves in a way that is unethical, he or she may be liable for malpractice. According to the American Bar...
What are legitimate examples of legal malpractice?
When you hire a lawyer, there is the expectation of competency and honesty. Unfortunately, not all attorneys execute their duties to an honorable degree. Legal misbehavior can have consequences. If your representative is guilty of mishandling affairs, sue for legal...
An overview of the most common legal malpractice claims
Legal malpractice claims arise for various reasons, and it is pivotal to seek justice if you currently face hardships as a result of a legal professional's negligence. Certain types of cases are especially likely to result in legal malpractice, and some victims do not...
Staffing shortages affect law firms, too
If you have gone shopping or eaten in a restaurant lately, you have probably seen help wanted signs. While there certainly appears to be a shortage of retail and hospitality workers in the U.S., virtually no sector of the economy is immune. This includes law firms....
Does legal malpractice include small mistakes?
Legal malpractice can be difficult to understand because while it seems like it would encompass any mistake, that is not true. Malpractice is a serious situation with specific requirements to prove. The American Bar Association explains a simple mistake could or could...
“Overwork” the leading cause of legal malpractice suits
Some attorneys across Missouri and the rest of the nation are taking on too many clients and cases. Their decision to do so often leads to subpar performance and allegations of legal malpractice. There is a clear link between overwork and oversight, and when attorneys...
What three points determine if something is a mistake or malpractice?
There is a fine line between a mistake and malpractice. Every person will make mistakes at some point, and lawyers are not immune. However, some mistakes cross the line and become malpractice because they were so severe or should never have happened. The American Bar...
What can attorneys do to avoid legal malpractice?
When you hire an attorney to handle a legal issue, you expect professional service and behavior. That is why it is so upsetting when your legal team makes a serious error or behaves negligently in some manner. According to the American Bar Association, certain legal...