Integrity is nonnegotiable when it comes to those who choose the law for their profession. Attorneys who are sworn to uphold the law are also held to the highest standards in their own adherence to the law. When a lawyer fails in his or her duty toward a client, the client may suffer in immeasurable ways, including a financial loss, loss of opportunity and even loss of freedom. In such cases, it may be prudent to consider a legal malpractice action against your attorney.
Legal malpractice can take many forms, from intentional violations of ethics and fiduciary responsibilities to incompetence that leads to critical mistakes. An attorney may fail to respond to your calls or the requests of opposing counsel, leaving your case with unanswered questions or unfiled motions. You may also have worked with a New York lawyer whose conflict of interest did not allow him or her to serve you adequately.
An attorney breaches your trust by misrepresenting your situation or telling you outright lies. This could range from misleading you about the status of your case or overcharging you for services not provided. While many attorneys work hard to gain the trust of their clients, as with any profession, there are always those who damage that trust by their unethical or inappropriate behavior. When that behavior also leads to your personal or financial loss, you have a right to seek redress.
At Schwartz & Ponterio, PLLC, we understand how difficult it may be to trust a law firm when you have already had a bad experience with lawyers. We are not intimidated to stand up against attorneys in New York who have not upheld their oaths to faithfully perform their duties. If you are considering a legal malpractice action against an attorney, you can contact us for an honest evaluation of your case.