Legal Malpractice LawyerA jury has delivered a $5 million legal malpractice verdict against a Detroit law firm in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Michigan. Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss was retained to “vet” a Minneapolis-based office furniture manufacturer for potential acquisition for a client. The firm allegedly failed to advise the client concerning the buyer’s $3.26 million underfunded pension liability. In fact, the firm advised its clients that it had no exposure for the liability.
Articles Tagged with “legal malpractice”
Is my accountant liable for referring me to a phony investment scheme?
ISSUE:
I was an investor in a ponzi scheme. I lost six figure numbers when the head of the scheme was arrested and jailed and has stated that he spent all his investor’s money playing in high stakes commodities trading. I was referred to this man by my accountant. Do I have any potential claims against this accountant?
INSIGHT:
Connecticut Grievance Committee Rejects Malpractice Settlement:
The Connecticut Attorney’s Grievance Committee has rejected a settlement based on a lawyer’s failure to document legal transactions between the law firm and their former client.
Iowa Practice change in Legal Malpractice Claim Arising From Criminal Representation
The Iowa Supreme Court has recently made a decision permitting a criminal defendant to sue his attorney for legal malpractice, without having to prove that he was innocent of the criminal charges. The Defendant was Robert Baker, who sued his attorney after claiming the attorney advised him to enter a plea agreement on a solicitation charge, so that other charges would be dismissed.
Rolnick v. Sight’s My Line, Inc., No. 03-15-00335-CV: Texas Court of Appeals Dismisses Legal Malpractice Claim
The Texas Court of Appeals has recently dismissed a legal malpractice claim against a Florida attorney for lack of jurisdiction. In Rolnick v. Sight’s My Line, Inc., the owner of a Florida corporation filed a legal malpractice claim against several Texas law firms, alleging that they had failed to properly perfect a security interest on behalf of the corporation.
Kelly v. Orr, No. D067735: California Appellate Court Reverses Judgment Time-Barring Legal Malpractice Claim of Successor Trustee
The Fourth District Court of Appeals of California recently reversed a decision of the trial court dismissing a legal malpractice claim based on a lapsed one-year statute of limitations. In Kelly v. Orr, a grantor created a trust agreement that named a successor trustee upon the resignation of the current trustee. However, when the current trustee resigned, the daughter of the grantor seized control of the trust and became trustee. She then retained a law firm using trust assets and followed their advice on how to manage the trust.
Audette v. Poulin, No. 2015-53-Appeal: Supreme Court of Rhode Island Affirms Dismissal of Legal Malpractice Action
The Supreme Court of Rhode Island recently upheld the dismissal of a legal malpractice claim. In Audette v. Poulin, the beneficiary of a trust sued an attorney, who represented the trustee in a dispute between the beneficiary and the trustee. Continue reading
Davidson v. Gurewitz, NO. 2-15-0171: Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Legal Malpractice Claim
The Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, recently affirmed the decision of a lower court, dismissing a legal malpractice action. In Davidson v. Gurewitz, a father sued an attorney, who had served as a Court appointed child representative in the father’s custody battle with the child’s mother.
In Re: Paul F. Coddington, Jr., LD-2015-0004: New Hampshire Attorney Disbarred for Practicing while Suspended
The New Hampshire Supreme Court recently disbarred an attorney, for practicing law while he was still serving a suspension for prior unethical conduct. In the Matter of Paul F Coddington, Jr, an attorney was suspended for professional misconduct and was subsequently hired by a law firm as a paralegal. The attorney falsely told his employer that he had applied to have his license reinstated. Thus, relying on this information, a lawyer at the firm permitted him to represent a client in court and handle cases.
In Re: Alexander R. Cain, No. BD-2015-018: Three Year suspension for Massachusetts Attorney for Making False Statements to Clients
The Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) recently suspended a Massachusetts attorney, who made intentional misrepresentations to four of his clients. In the matter of Alexander R. Cain, an attorney was found to have fabricated documents, lied to his clients, and failed to diligently pursue his client’s claims and interests.