100 years + of collective legal malpractice experience

What does a conflict of interest look like?

by | Aug 31, 2019 | Legal Malpractice |

When Florida residents like you are in legal trouble, you turn to a lawyer for help. But who do you turn to if you believe your lawyer doesn’t have your best interests at the forefront of their mind? We at St. Denis & Davey, P.A., are here to talk about what a conflict of interest might look like in your legal relationship, and how it can affect you.

In this case, a conflict of interest means that there is something or someone getting in the way of your lawyer being able to fully dedicate their time and effort to helping you out. For example, let’s say your lawyer is representing you in court. However, you find out that the attorney for the opposing side is actually a close family member of your attorney. This close relationship could potentially create conflict, affecting or limiting your lawyer’s ability to faithfully represent you.

On the other hand, it can be difficult to prove that any relationship other than a close familial one is creating a conflict of interest. Your attorney can be friends with the opposing attorney, but the court will most likely decide that it does not interfere with their ability to represent you.

A conflict of interest can cheat you out of the true representation you deserve. In extreme situations, it can even cost you your case. If you believe that there is a true conflict of interest present and that it may be affecting your lawyer’s ability to represent you, you might want to consider contacting an attorney who specializes in legal malpractice law. You can read more on our web page for the same topic, linked above.