Your lawyer is supposed to champion your legal rights, guiding you through the justice system. What happens when they make a critical mistake, jeopardizing your case? Legal malpractice can leave you feeling frustrated, helpless and financially worse off. Legal...
Schwartz & Ponterio, PLLC holds lawyers responsible for legal malpractice.
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3 types of mistakes that competent lawyers shouldn’t make
People embroiled in a civil dispute or facing criminal charges hire lawyers for a reason. The average person does not understand the law. People often struggle to remain calm and rational when dealing with issues that could cause financial hardship or lead to their...
Initial consultations and legal malpractice
You can have a bad experience with an attorney at any stage of the representation process. However, they must have a duty toward you for a case to constitute legal malpractice. What if an attorney failed to act in your best interest when you first met them? Can you...
A conflict of interest could lead to malpractice
Ideally, if you hire a lawyer, they should not have any conflicts of interest. These are factors that may call their legal capabilities into question because they will have a direct personal interest in something that may not be in your best interests. Your legal team...
Could a missed deadline be legal malpractice?
Medical malpractice happens when a doctor acts below the standard of care that their clients should receive. As a result, a patient may suffer harm. Likewise, attorneys can act in a way that affects a client’s case, which may lead to legal malpractice. Legal...
Can a “pro bono” attorney be guilty of malpractice?
Most people are familiar with the term “pro bono.” It means “for good” in Latin. When attorneys do pro bono work, they don’t charge their clients for their services. A client may have to pay other fees associated with whatever kind of legal matter they’re dealing...
Legal malpractice: Fraudulent billing practices
Legal malpractice occurs when a legal professional fails to provide competent and professional service, harming the client. Among the various forms of malpractice, fraudulent billing is particularly insidious, as it directly impacts the financial aspect of the...
Did your attorney fail to keep you informed?
When it comes to legal representation, effective communication between an attorney and their client is not just beneficial, it's a legal and ethical necessity. When this communication breaks down, particularly if an attorney fails to keep their client informed, it can...
My attorney left town before my trial. Is that legal malpractice?
Facing a trial is stressful, and having your attorney leave town unexpectedly right before it begins can exacerbate that stress significantly. If you find yourself in this situation and the trial outcome is unfavorable, you might wonder if you have grounds for a legal...
Lack of consent may constitute legal malpractice
Informed consent is the cornerstone of a healthy attorney-client relationship. It goes beyond a mere agreement to proceed with legal actions; it involves the client truly comprehending the potential risks, benefits and alternatives. This transparency is crucial, as it...