We Sue Lawyers

WE SUE LAWYERS – it is odd going to bar association meetings and seeing other lawyers who I have sued for damages when they have screwed up. Some ignore me, others are apologetic, acknowledge that they made a mistake and even refer others to us when they come across a situation where their client was the victim of the malpractice of another lawyer. I am proud of the fact that we sue lawyers, times have changed, lawyers need to do the right thing.

We Sue Lawyers - Legal Malpractice

WE SUE LAWYERS - many years ago I asked a doctor friend to offer an opinion on a case. I was evaluating a medical malpractice case where our client was probably the victim of Medical Malpractice. We were sitting on a dock, where I kept my sailboat. I call this my Doc on a Dock revelation. He said he would never testify against a fellow doctor and then asked me “when is the last time you sued a lawyer”. I had never sued a lawyer. But starting that day I stopped looking the other way and I started taking on Legal Malpractice claims. We sue lawyers, something I am proud to say. If a lawyer screws up and it causes damage a lawyer should step up and do the right thing. Times have changed, lawyers should represent injured parties and Sue the lawyer for the damages he or she caused by their negligence.

Has Your Lawyer Settled A Case Without Your Authorization?

Almost two decades ago, Harry H. Schneider Jr., a partner at Perkins Coie in Seattle, published his “Top Ten” list of Legal Malpractice in the March 1994 issue of the American Bar Association Journal. Entitled See You In Court, Follow These Ten Rules and You, Too, Can Be Sued for Malpractice, this article touched on many malpractice issues that remain relevant to this day. Number nine on the list was: “Settle a Matter Without Written Authorization From Your Client.” For what it’s worth, if we had written this list, we would have may have ranked this rule higher.

Although some lawyers require their clients to sign contingency agreements allowing the lawyer to settle without the client’s consent, generally the decision to settle is the client’s and the client’s alone. If your lawyer settled behind your back to make a quick buck, check your contingency agreement. Or better yet, bring it to us. We’ll take a look and let you know if you've got a case.

Who’s the Boss?

Has your lawyer ever convinced you to take an action against your better judgement? Have you ever been convinced to follow what you thought was sound lawyerly advice only to find out that this “advice” prejudiced you or cost you a significant chunk of change? Well, it may come as a surprise, but your lawyer is professionally and ethically required to follow your instructions. You make the decisions regarding your representation, not your lawyer.

A lawyer’s job is to help you navigate the labyrinth that is our legal system. Of course, a lawyer’s familiarity with the legal process enables that lawyer to make informed decisions regarding your case but the final decision is yours and yours alone. If you've ever been pressured to settle a case when you wanted to go to trial or if you've been convinced to change your position against your better judgement you may be able to recover damages against your former attorney. Remember, your lawyer works for you, not the other way around. At Stanger law, we’re ready to work for you. Call us, we can help.

Lawyers Suing Lawyers

Any time a person is injured due to medical malpractice the victim contacts a lawyer to evaluate the claim against his doctor without a second thought. So why are victims of legal malpractice hesitant to do the same regarding a claim against their attorneys? Many aggrieved clients believe that lawyers are a group of good ol’ boys who will refuse to bring suit against a fellow member of their guild. Although this may still be true of many lawyers, we, at Stanger & Arnold, are dedicated to recovering damages for our clients no matter who is the adversary. If you’ve been injured by negligent or fraudulent legal representation, call Stanger & Arnold today. We’ll stand with you and help you recover your due compensation. Times have Changed. We are here to help.

Lazy Lawyers

A lawyer’s life is full of deadlines. Judges require pleadings and motions to be filed at specific times, states enact statutes of limitations to cut off long-term liability, and opposing counsel set hard deadlines for conducting negotiations. It’s a hectic life for sure, but meeting these deadlines is the only way to serve our clients with competence and respect. As the Connecticut Practice Book (a.k.a. the “Lawyer’s Bible”) notes: “Dilatory practices bring the administration of justice into disrepute.” We couldn’t agree more.

But what happens when a lazy lawyer misses a deadline?

The truth is that late filings or missed deadlines can have drastic effects on not only the cost of your legal service but potentially on the viability of your case. If a lazy lawyer waits until the last minute to file a motion with the court the quality could suffer. What if the lazy lawyer neglected to file the proper paperwork to renew your business license? What if he forgot to file a claim until after the statute of limitations had run? What if he didn’t have you in to execute your will in a timely manner? In such instances, your livelihood, your expectations, or your ability to gain adequate compensation for your injuries may be irreparably harmed.

If you suspect that you’ve been misrepresented or duped by a lazy lawyer, give us a call. We’ll look into the issue and make sure that your interests are adequately—and promptly— represented.

Alternative Fee Arrangements Gaining Steam

It’s no surprise that one of the biggest concerns in the lawyer-client relationship involves fees. After all, even the most clear-cut fee agreements can be difficult to swallow—for the client as well as the lawyer. Well, as we’re fond of saying around the office, “Times have changed. We’ve changed with the times.”

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), the trying economic environment of the last few years has given rise to a change in the structure of legal fee agreements. Gone are the days of the rigid hourly billing method, the modern trend points towards alternative fee arrangements that provide flexibility for both lawyer and client. In fact, the ABA has reported that in a recent survey regarding alternative fee arrangements, “Of the 218 law firm respondents, only one reported that their firm does not employ alternatives to the hourly billing rate model other than discounting.” An A For Alternatives, ABA Journal, vol. 98, Nov. 2012.

The rise of alternative fee agreements has proven to be a boon to the industry. While many legal services are still best served through hourly billing, alternative fee arrangements expand the range of services that a firm can offer. Here at Stanger & Arnold, we recognize that certain situations call for alternative solutions. Contact our office if you’d like to learn more about our alternative fee arrangements.