Most people expect their attorney to protect their interests and help them avoid costly mistakes. However, not every attorney error leads to a successful legal malpractice claim in New York. To move a case forward, you generally need to show that the mistake caused...
When lawyers are negligent when representing their clients or violate their duty, those affected by their professional failure may want to take legal action against them. A legal malpractice lawsuit allows those harmed by a lawyer’s failure to effectively represent...
Legal work can require hours upon hours of research. Attorneys and their aides scour through previous legal cases, statutes and applicable regulations to find the information needed to help their client win their case. Over the years, various tools have emerged to...
A real estate closing in New York may seem routine. You review the contract and sign the papers while your attorney handles the legal steps. Later, a lien may appear, or a contract term may limit your options. When that happens, you may begin to wonder whether...
The short answer is: not necessarily. Without a doubt, it is a serious error. But in the eyes of the law, a mistake does not always mean that malpractice is involved. To recover damages, a plaintiff must prove that the error actually changed the outcome of their life....
Clients place their trust in lawyers not only to handle their cases competently, but also to bill fairly and honestly for the work performed. When that trust is broken as a result of legal billing hours fraud, the financial and emotional impact on affected clients can...
Client consent is a crucial part of preventing legal malpractice. Your lawyer should always act with your informed approval before making important decisions. If they move forward without your consent in situations requiring them, they could be violating their...
One moment, your case is on track, then suddenly, your lawyer goes silent without warning. You try to reach out, but they seem to have disappeared. A lawyer withdrawing from your case without notification is stressful and confusing. In some situations, you can file a...
Even good lawyers can lose cases. Trials are unpredictable, and sometimes a strategy that seemed sound in the beginning falls apart under new facts, rulings or testimony. When that happens, you might wonder whether your lawyer’s poor strategy was not just unfortunate...
Yes, inexperienced attorneys can be sued for malpractice. The key factor is not the attorney's experience level but the duty of care they owe to their clients. Every lawyer, regardless of how long they have been practicing, must meet the standard of care expected in...