Thursday, August 27, 2009

Dropping a Client Requires Unambigous Communication

Sometimes Connecticut lawyers leave the law firm they are working for to go work for another one. Often they take cases they have been working on at the old firm with them to the new firm. In some instances the new firm may not want the client’s case. When this happens, it is the duty of the Connecticut lawyer to unambiguously communicate to the client that they are withdrawing from the case. Failure to do so might jeopardize the client’s legal rights but we can help.

For example, if a Connecticut lawyer fails to unambiguously communicate to her client that they are withdrawing from the case, and the client ends up missing a deadline to file a law suit, the lawyer may have committed legal malpractice for missing a Connecticut statute of limitation.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Breach of Fiduciary Duty is Legal Malpractice in Connecticut

With regard to Connecticut legal malpractice, a breach of fiduciary duty occurs when an attorney puts someone else’s interests above their client’s interests in a legal matter. It also occurs when Connecticut attorneys are more interested in recruiting clients than serving the ones they currently have.

Often, an attorney will commit legal malpractice in Connecticut by suing the wrong party, missing a deadline, or not properly investigating the claim. The lawyer may then realize the mistake, but fail to inform the client. Or worse, the lawyer may attempt to convince their client to settle his or her claim for a minimal recovery without fully disclosing the attorney’s mistakes leaving the client with no legal recourse. It’s unfortunate when this happens but we can help.

A lawyer may breach his or her fiduciary duty to a client in Connecticut by doing one or more of the following: setting aside cases that appear to be minor, asking a client to accept a minimal settlement when the facts indicate the client may have a bigger claim, failing to offer appropriate advice, missing a filing deadline, filing an improper document, or ignoring a conflict of interest. Anyone of these acts may lead to a legal malpractice suit in Connecticut and we can help. Lawyers screw up, but they should never represent their own interests above their clients'.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Does Your Lawyer Have Connecticut Legal Malpractice Insurance?

Lawyers do behave badly - they screw up, they make mistakes and they are negligent. They may not always do it on purpose, yet it causes damage; but we can help. Lawyers also are sued for legal malpractice and it is important for clients to be sure their Connecticut lawyer has Connecticut legal malpractice insurance. If they don’t, it may be that the insurance company knows something that you don't know. The insurance company may be refusing to give them insurance. Or maybe the lawyer does not want to obtain it (or doesn't have the money to spend on it). Do you really want to use an attorney who does not have insurance to protect you? Article: Beware Your Attorney May Be Bare