cases in which lawyer sued client

Lawsuits against lawyers usually fall under three categories: negligence, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. Negligence. Negligence is the most common grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. It happens when your attorney fails to use the skill and care normally expected of a competent attorney.

Full Answer

Is it ever a good idea to sue a client?

Your malpractice carrier tells you over and over that suing a client for unpaid fees is almost always a bad idea. But showing is better than telling. So let’s look at a pair of cautionary lessons from recent headlines.

What kind of lawsuit can I file against an attorney?

This category includes tort claims filed against an attorney alleging Malicious Prosecution, Abuse of Process, Defamation, infliction of emotional distress, and other theories based on the manner in which the attorney represented the client. These suits rarely are successful except for malicious prosecution.

What do you need to know about suing a lawyer?

You must show that your lawyer failed to act with the knowledge, skill, and care of other qualified attorneys practicing under similar circumstances (called the “standard of care”). Often times, lawyers must make strategic decisions or judgment calls, which don’t always turn out for the best.

Can non-clients bring lawsuits against attorneys?

Approximately 20% of all lawsuits against attorneys arising out of the rendition of legal services are brought by non-clients. These claims are even more dangerous than ordinary malpractice claims for two principal reasons.

Why is there no attorney-client privilege?

Why is this case a dream case for commentators on in-house ethics?

What was the in-house counsel for one company?

What was the case of the DOE?

What was the lawyer's role in the family business?

Do ethical rules apply to in-house counsel?

Do in-house counsels believe in ethical rules?

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What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

What is it called when a lawyer drops a client?

Mandatory withdrawal There are many circumstances which require that an attorney must withdraw from a case: The client fires the attorney. The attorney determines that he is not competent to continue representing the client in a matter.

Can lawyers poach clients?

Stealing clients from the firm can be a breach of fiduciary duty. Take, for example, the case of the Dowd and Dowd firm. When two partners decided to leave, they used confidential information to secure funding for a new firm, secretly contacted clients, and poached employees.

What happens if a lawyer loses a case?

If the attorney loses the case, the client is still responsible for legal fees as stipulated in the original retainer contract. Some attorneys may agree to withhold billing until the end of a case, but they will still expect payment regardless of how the case ends.

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

No matter what name the agency in your state goes by, they will have a process you can use to file a complaint against your attorney for lying or being incompetent. Examples of these types of behavior include: Misusing your money. Failing to show up at a court hearing.

Will a lawyer take a losing case?

If your case isn't winnable, no lawyer will want to waste your time, or the court's time, pursuing legal action. However, if you have a case where the facts and evidence are in question, but the damages you could recover are high, an attorney with extensive experience in cases like yours might take the case.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

What happens if a lawyer lies to a judge?

If a lawyer lies to the Judge about something that is within his own knowledge -- such as something the lawyer did or didn't do during the lawsuit, then he can be suspended or disbarred. However, it's important to distinguish what you mean by a "lawyer lying" from examples when a lawyer is not really lying.

How can we stop poaching clients?

A non-solicitation agreement is an in-depth way to cover poaching. With a non-solicitation agreement, you specifically ask contractors to sign an agreement stating they won't solicit your company's clients or employees up to a designated time period following their work with your business.

What is direct solicitation?

Direct solicitation means solicitation of a consumer transaction initiated by a supplier, at the residence or place of employment of any consumer, and includes a sale or solicitation of sale made by the supplier by direct mail or telephone or personal contact at the residence or place of employment of any consumer.

What does it mean to solicit a client?

The term usually refers to directly asking potential customers to purchase goods or services, rather than using advertisements. Freelance contractors and other independent business owners often engage in solicitation to seek new customers.

Ten Brief Cases With Ethical Issues - Activities

Vincent S. Cronin, Baylor University Summary Ten brief descriptions are provided of cases in which there appear to be ethical issues in the practice of geology. Most are drawn from engineering geology, but no ...

Why do people bring suit for breach of contract?

BREACH OF CONTRACT. Victims of legal malpractice sometimes seek to bring suit under a breach of contract theory, for various reasons. One reason is because in many states, the winning party in a breach of contract case can receive reimbursement of their attorneys fees. Another reason is that in most states, the statute of limitation for breach ...

What is a negligent supervisory authority?

Negligent supervision occurs when a senior attorney with supervisory authority over a junior attorney fails to supervise the junior attorney as a reasonable and prudent senior attorney would have under the same or similar circumstances .

Can a lawyer take a loan from a client?

Most states have a rule of professional responsibility governing lawyers which states that a lawyer may not take a loan from a client or do business with a client unless: 1) the transaction is objectively fair; 2) the client has been given a fair opportunity to consult with an unrelated attorney; and 3) the client gives thorough, informed consent in writing.

Can a breach of contract be successful?

Breach of contract claims against attorneys are rarely successful, because the person bringing the suit must show that the attorney breached a specific promise in the attorney client agreement that would not normally exist, but for the contract.

Did Clayton have an attorney for Hicks?

Clayton convinced the trial court to largely ignore the fact he had once been Hicks’ attorney and prevailed. On appeal, the Court of Appeals reversed, holding: “The uncontradicted evidence is that Clayton was and had been at the time of the buying of his client’s house, the attorney for Hicks. Hicks trusted Clayton.

What are the three types of lawsuits against lawyers?

Lawsuits against lawyers usually fall under three categories: negligence, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty . Negligence. Negligence is the most common grounds for a malpractice lawsuit. It happens when your attorney fails to use the skill and care normally expected of a competent attorney. For example, you might have grounds ...

What happens when an attorney fails to use the skill and care normally expected of a competent attorney?

It happens when your attorney fails to use the skill and care normally expected of a competent attorney. For example, you might have grounds for a negligence suit if your lawyer missed an important deadline, failed to prepare for trial, or failed to follow court orders. Breach of contract. Breach of contract occurs when a lawyer violates ...

What is a breach of fiduciary duty?

Breach of fiduciary duty. Lawyers owe certain fiduciary duties to their clients, such as the duty of loyalty and duty of confidentiality. Your lawyer must act in your best interests and must keep your communications confidential.

What is a breach of contract?

Breach of contract. Breach of contract occurs when a lawyer violates a specific term of the lawyer’s agreement with a client. For example, if your contract says that your lawyer will create a corporation for you by a certain date, the lawyer must stick to that agreement. Breach of fiduciary duty. Lawyers owe certain fiduciary duties ...

How long does it take to file a malpractice case?

The time limit for filing a legal malpractice case can be as short as one year.

What happens if your lawyer doesn't listen to you?

If your lawyer isn’t communicating with you or listening to your wishes, this might get his or her attention. In some cases, the board might order the lawyer to compensate you for a clear financial loss —for example, if your lawyer took fund from your client account.

Is it malpractice to be a lawyer?

However, it’s not malpractice unless your lawyer fell below the standard of care. The third element is perhaps the most difficult to prove. It’s not enough that your lawyer breached his or her duty.

Why is there no attorney-client privilege?

The court held that there was no attorney-client privilege for communications between the in-house counsel and the client because the in-house counsel was not licensed and, therefore, not an "attorney.". There is some split of authority on this issue.

Why is this case a dream case for commentators on in-house ethics?

This is a dream case for commentators on in-house ethics because it raises two of the most common "defenses" asserted by in-house lawyers when pushing back against ethical concerns. Mr. Rosefielde was in-house for several small companies owned by Mr. Kaye.

What was the in-house counsel for one company?

The in-house counsel for one company had often performed legal work for the related companies. In the dispute, it was determined that the lawyer's notes were not privileged as to any of the companies in the dispute, as he was each company's lawyer.

What was the case of the DOE?

This case involved an in-house attorney who complained to the US Department of Energy (DOE) about discrimination at her client. To further her case, she gave information to the DOE about other complaints of discrimination at the company. Even though she prevailed in her jury trial, the ruling was reversed. The Fifth Circuit held that there was no exception to the ethical rules that allowed her to disclose information regarding other wrongs without client consent, which she did not have. The verdict was reversed and the case dismissed based on the lawyer's misconduct.

What was the lawyer's role in the family business?

A lawyer was helping run the family business, which was controlled by his mother and shared with his siblings. There was no engagement letter. As the mother started aging and fading, there were disputes among the children (the lawyer and his siblings) how things should be handled.

Do ethical rules apply to in-house counsel?

The ethical rules still apply to in-house counsel. Not only that, the stakes are higher because it is much more difficult for your to disengage from your client when you are in-house. If you have any questions about your ethical duties at all, contact the author.

Do in-house counsels believe in ethical rules?

Many in-house counsel apparently believe that the ethical rules do not apply to them, or apply with less force.

How many lawsuits against attorneys are brought by non-clients?

Approximately 20% of all lawsuits against attorneys arising out of the rendition of legal services are brought by non-clients. These claims are even more dangerous than ordinary malpractice claims for two principal reasons.

Can a client's fraud be imputed to an attorney?

Common Law Fraud/Conversion. A client’s fraud is not easily imputed to an attorney. However, a fraudulent scheme that is dependant upon an attorney’s services can lead to common law fraud liability.

Should lawyers practice law?

Second, lawyers should practice law with a healthy fear of malpractice liability, but cannot practice law like they are scared of third parties. Many third party lawsuits are brought by individuals on another side of a litigation. Or transaction.

What happens if a lawyer fails to pay all funds to his client?

If a lawyer fails to promptly pay all funds to his client, the lawyer may be required to pay interest. A lawyer is liable for fraud—except when the client caused the attorney to commit fraud—and is generally liable for any damages resulting to the client by his negligence.

Who is responsible for the acts of his associates, clerks, legal assistants, and partners?

In addition, a lawyer is responsible for the acts of his associates, clerks, legal assistants, and partners and may be liable for their acts if they result in losses to the client. Negligent errors are most commonly associated with legal malpractice.

Why is malpractice not a success?

A legal malpractice action, however, is not likely to succeed if the lawyer committed an error because an issue of law was unsettled or debatable. Many legal malpractice claims are filed because of negligence in the professional relationship. The improper and unprofessional handling of the attorney-client relationship leads to negligence claims ...

What are the four areas of legal malpractice?

The four general areas of Legal Malpractice are negligent errors,negligence in the professional relationship, fee disputes, and claims filed by an adversary or non client against a lawyer. As in the medical field, lawyers must conform to standards of conduct recognized by the profession.

What is legal malpractice?

Another area of legal malpractice involves fee disputes. When attorneys sue clients for attorneys' fees, many clients assert malpractice as a defense. As a defense, it can reduce or totally eliminate the lawyer's recovery of fees.

What is the duty of a lawyer?

A lawyer has the duty, in all dealings and relations with a client, to act with honesty, Good Faith, fairness, integrity, and fidelity. A lawyer must possess the legal skill and knowledge that is ordinarily possessed by members of the profession.

Can a lawyer be charged with malpractice?

Lawyers who give improper advice, improperly prepare documents, fail to file documents, or make a faulty analysis in examining the title to real estate may be charged with malpractice by their clients. A legal malpractice action, however, is not likely to succeed if the lawyer committed an error because an issue of law was unsettled or debatable. ...

Why is there no attorney-client privilege?

The court held that there was no attorney-client privilege for communications between the in-house counsel and the client because the in-house counsel was not licensed and, therefore, not an "attorney.". There is some split of authority on this issue.

Why is this case a dream case for commentators on in-house ethics?

This is a dream case for commentators on in-house ethics because it raises two of the most common "defenses" asserted by in-house lawyers when pushing back against ethical concerns. Mr. Rosefielde was in-house for several small companies owned by Mr. Kaye.

What was the in-house counsel for one company?

The in-house counsel for one company had often performed legal work for the related companies. In the dispute, it was determined that the lawyer's notes were not privileged as to any of the companies in the dispute, as he was each company's lawyer.

What was the case of the DOE?

This case involved an in-house attorney who complained to the US Department of Energy (DOE) about discrimination at her client. To further her case, she gave information to the DOE about other complaints of discrimination at the company. Even though she prevailed in her jury trial, the ruling was reversed. The Fifth Circuit held that there was no exception to the ethical rules that allowed her to disclose information regarding other wrongs without client consent, which she did not have. The verdict was reversed and the case dismissed based on the lawyer's misconduct.

What was the lawyer's role in the family business?

A lawyer was helping run the family business, which was controlled by his mother and shared with his siblings. There was no engagement letter. As the mother started aging and fading, there were disputes among the children (the lawyer and his siblings) how things should be handled.

Do ethical rules apply to in-house counsel?

The ethical rules still apply to in-house counsel. Not only that, the stakes are higher because it is much more difficult for your to disengage from your client when you are in-house. If you have any questions about your ethical duties at all, contact the author.

Do in-house counsels believe in ethical rules?

Many in-house counsel apparently believe that the ethical rules do not apply to them, or apply with less force.