People often need to hire attorneys while going through difficult times in their lives. They rely on their attorneys to provide them with guidance and to help them pursue justice. For example, those who have recently lost a loved one due to illegal behavior or...
Schwartz & Ponterio, PLLC holds lawyers responsible for legal malpractice.
Legal Malpractice
Could your lawyer’s drug abuse lead to legal malpractice?
Clients expect their lawyers to stay focused on their case, taking every necessary step and precaution for a successful legal process. This means a lawyer needs to stay sharp and fully present to handle any issues or deadlines that can arise during a legal case. A...
What is a statute of limitations?
If you’re considering a legal case of any type, one thing to think about is the statute of limitations. If you haven’t been through the court process before, you may be unaware of what this refers to. The best way to think about it is as a deadline. You only have...
What is legal malpractice insurance, and why does it matter?
Legal malpractice insurance is a specialized type of professional liability insurance designed to protect attorneys and law firms against claims of negligence, errors or misconduct in the course of representing a client. While it is not legally required in every...
Can a lack of communication be considered legal malpractice?
A person who hires a lawyer often needs to know how to address a specific situation. They may need to find ways to protect themselves, and some may feel scared. Most people who hire a lawyer will want to know exactly what’s going on with their case. It’s not...
What if your lawyer files your case in the wrong location?
One type of legal malpractice could be if your lawyer accidentally filed your case in the wrong location or the wrong court. This could happen geographically. Perhaps your court case needs to be filed in New York, but your lawyer filed the case in New Jersey. This...
When trouble with alcohol leads to legal malpractice
Regardless of the fact that attorneys are held to high ethical and professional standards, they may struggle with personal challenges, including substance abuse. When a lawyer’s issues with alcohol affect their ability to represent clients properly, it can lead to...
Did your lawyer’s mistakes hurt your personal injury case?
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...
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...