When you hire a legal professional for your personal injury case, you expect competence, diligence and a strong fight for the compensation you deserve. However, it’s not always the case. Your attorney may make mistakes that undermine your case and prevent you from...
Schwartz & Ponterio, PLLC holds lawyers responsible for legal malpractice.
Legal Malpractice
My attorney missed a deadline. Is that malpractice?
When you hire an attorney to represent you, each of you signs a contract to retain that attorney as your legal representative. The contract describes the rights and responsibilities you both have to one another. One of the most important responsibilities of a lawyer...
Reasons why lawyer conflict of interest is harmful for clients
Attorneys provide an invaluable service by offering legal guidance and representation to clients who need trusted support and advocacy. However, sometimes lawyers may end up facing malpractice charges when conflicts of interest arise. Conflict of interest refers to...
Can a lawyer settle a legal issue without a client’s approval?
People dealing with legal issues often hire lawyers to assist them. An attorney can manage the process of negotiating on behalf of a client. They can educate their clients about the law and the legal system. They can handle all necessary paperwork. Lawyers typically...
Could your lawyer’s cybersecurity slip-up cost you?
When you hire an attorney, you have to be able to trust them with some of your most sensitive information – such as financial records, business contracts, personal details and more. You’re supposed to be able to trust them to protect that information as well as they...
Does smoking marijuana amount to legal malpractice?
If your attorney lost your case, you could be facing a huge bill and perhaps some other unpleasant consequences. You might feel they should have won it and be trying to understand why they didn’t. If you discover that they smoke marijuana, you may believe this could...
Legal malpractice claim vs bar complaint: What is the difference?
If you believe your lawyer has harmed you through negligence or misconduct, you may consider filing a legal malpractice claim or a bar complaint. Understanding the differences between these options will help you make an informed decision. Let us explore each choice to...
The most common types of attorney errors
Attorneys are highly qualified individuals. They are placed in a position of trust and owe a duty of care to their clients. With that being said, attorneys are not immune from making mistakes. Here are some of the most common types of attorney errors. Poor...
Inadequate legal research can be a sign of legal malpractice
It takes years of study to become an attorney, and most lawyers are diligent in their efforts to provide excellent representation for their clients. People who hire lawyers to help them navigate legal matters ranging from civil lawsuits to real estate transactions...
What are the ethical duties of a lawyer to a client?
Like all professions, the legal profession is governed by ethics and professional responsibility, which dictate the standards of conduct that lawyers must follow in their practice. A lawyer's failure to adhere to these ethical duties can lead to legal malpractice...