Drug and alcohol use is common across many professions and groups of people. Even legal professionals can suffer from addiction or use disorders. In fact, there have even been some studies that indicate that lawyers may consume alcohol more often than the average American. Of course, as long as this drug and alcohol use is legal, it isn’t malpractice. For example, an employee or an attorney who has a few drinks while watching a football game with their friends on the weekend doesn’t need to worry about any serious professional ramifications. They’re not breaking the law and it’s not affecting ..read more

If your legal counsel acts negligently when handling your legal matter, it can lead to significant financial losses, missed opportunities, adverse legal outcomes and damage to your reputation and overall well-being. You may be able to seek recourse by filing a legal malpractice lawsuit. Successfully pursuing a legal malpractice matter may require you to provide proof that the legal counsel acted negligently. This may involve demonstrating the following. Duty of care You will be required to demonstrate that the counsel owed you a duty of care, which is established by the attorney-client relatio ..read more

Most real estate agents are deeply proud of their profession, and they discharge their obligations to their clients with the utmost care. But, what happens if they don’t? Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, there’s a lot of money involved in a real estate transaction, and a realtor’s mistakes can cost you a small fortune and cause you significant emotional distress. What might give rise to a lawsuit? Legal action against a real estate agent typically happens when there is some form of negligence, fraud or misrepresentation. This can look like: Breach of duty: Your realtor serves as your guide ..read more

If you have started a legal case, you are counting on your attorney for guidance and instruction. They can help you navigate this complex process, as you likely have never done it yourself. They can tell you when to file certain paperwork and what steps to take. One area that the attorney needs to understand is if a statute of limitations applies to your case. This is a deadline by which you need to have started your case or you may not be able to legally do so. Even if the case otherwise would have been completely valid and you stood a good chance of winning, the statute of limitations can ma ..read more

Many people preparing for divorce devote a great deal of effort to finding the right representation. An attorney gives someone information about state law. They also help divorcing spouses prepare a strategy for the optimal outcome in their case. What a lawyer recommends and how they present the case in court can have a significant impact on someone’s future. Unfortunately, lawyers sometimes make mistakes when negotiating on behalf of a client. They can fail to disclose a conflict of interest that might compromise the representation they provide. They might even fail to file certain paperwork ..read more

Legal malpractice can lead to major issues for those who unintentionally trust the wrong lawyers. An attorney’s failings can directly impact the outcome of someone’s divorce, criminal case or civil lawsuit. Sometimes, lawyers make mistakes that have immediate, negative consequences for their clients. Their clients may then potentially have grounds to take legal action over their professional failures. Legal malpractice does come in many forms. Sometimes, it involves manipulative and inaccurate billing practices. Other times, legal malpractice could entail taking on a case when a lawyer knows t ..read more

When people think about a conflict of interest, they often think about outside issues. For instance, maybe they find out that their attorney has a family member on the board of a company that they’re suing. This is clearly a conflict of interest due to the attorney’s personal connections, which may mean that the lawyer isn’t focused on their client’s best interests. They are taking steps to help the business executive, who is a close family member. But it’s also possible for an attorney to have a conflict of interest with another client. This is why attorneys have to be careful not to represen ..read more

As an entrepreneur, you have learned to wear a lot of hats – but you’re smart enough to know that you need a good accountant in your corner to handle the books. Your accountant plays a critical role in making sure that your company’s finances are on track, your business remains financially healthy and you’re meeting all your tax obligations. That makes it particularly important to know how to spot trouble with your accountant when you see it. The following are some signs that you may need to end your relationship with your current accountant (and maybe even take legal action). They’re perfectl ..read more

When facing a matter of legal urgency, individuals or businesses must put a lot of trust in someone who may be a virtual stranger – an attorney. In most situations, that trust is well-deserved and earned through a history of proven results. Other times, a lawyer may do something or make a mistake that destroys trust and may even harm clients. But what about unethical conduct? Is that the same as legal malpractice? Sometimes, an action (or inaction) can be both. Let’s look at two examples. Conflict of interest Yes, this is one of the most discussed legal malpractice topics, but it is always wor ..read more

Legal malpractice arises when an attorney fails to perform their duties in accordance with set standards and causes their client harm as a result. Attorneys have a duty to act in the best interests of their clients, ensuring their actions are guided by care, skill and diligence. This standard is universal across various legal practice areas. The same level of professional conduct is expected if an attorney is handling a personal injury case, a car accident claim, a breach of contract or a criminal matter. In every case, an attorney’s primary obligation is to serve their client’s best interests ..read more