A basic premise of the attorney-client relationship is that the client steers the ship. The reason the relationship exists at all is the client’s need for legal services that the lawyer agrees to provide. In a broad sense, legal counsel educates the client by...
Florida Legal Malpractice Law Blog
Did your court-ordered, nonbinding arbitration become binding due to a missed deadline?
When you engage in a legal dispute in Florida, the court may refer you to nonbinding arbitration. This is an alternative dispute resolution process that courts are increasingly using. Nonbinding arbitration can sometimes provide a quicker resolution to disputes...
Failing to disclose a settlement offer could be legal malpractice
Lawyers need to have excellent people skills as much as they need to have an in-depth understanding of the law. A big part of practicing law involves communicating with clients, negotiating with outside parties and presenting a compelling case in court. Lawyers often...
How AI could lead to an increase in legal malpractice
Malpractice occurs when a licensed, educated professional does not conform to professional standards. Many of the highest-profile malpractice cases involve allegations of medical malpractice. However, legal malpractice is another common issue that can have significant...
Did your lawyer fail to adequately check for conflicts of interest?
When you hire an attorney, you are entitled to their uncompromised loyalty and fierce advocacy. Your legal counsel has a fiduciary duty to you – which roughly means you should be able to trust that they would have your back in any situation even if no one were looking...
Did your lawyer inadequately investigate your legal claim?
Of course, many lawyers choose to be litigators whose main professional focus is to bring lawsuits seeking recovery for clients’ injuries or financial losses, or to otherwise resolve conflicts. Litigators also defend clients in court whom others have sued. Litigation...
Lawyer incompetence in area of law relevant to client matters
When a person retains an attorney to represent them, the client reasonably presumes the lawyer has the requisite knowledge, experience and skill in the area of law applicable to their case or other legal matter. When legal counsel does not have the familiarity with...
A missed legal deadline can gravely harm a client’s interests
When something is important enough to seek the representation of a lawyer, you expect professionalism, skill, knowledge and the ability to help you reach your goals or fix your problem. What you do not anticipate is that legal counsel could make a basic mistake that...
Band alleges law firm had conflicts of interest and was self-dealing
Entertainment attorneys have unique relationships with clients who are singers, bands, instrumentalists or other kinds of musicians. In addition to contract work or litigation, musicians’ lawyers also may have other roles like those of negotiator, agent or promoter....
Can unprofessional conduct in court become legal malpractice?
We hear in the news about trials where the lawyers face sanctions, discipline, fines or charges of unethical behavior for questionable actions in the courtroom or the course of litigation. These controversial acts may include making repetitive, frivolous or meritless...