Newsweek
Rated by Super Lawyers
AV Preeminent
Avvo Rating - 10.0
The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
GeorgiaTrend - Legal Elite

Legal Malpractice

Normally when a person hires an attorney to represent him, the expectation is that the attorney is a skilled professional who will act in the best interest of the client. However, there are times when an attorney can be negligent in handling a client’s case resulting in a negative outcome for the client. In this situation, the client may have a legal malpractice claim against the attorney.

In order to have a viable legal malpractice claim, a client must be able to show that he hired the attorney, the attorney failed to exercise ordinary care and skill which caused the client to suffer injury or damages.

The first requirement, the hiring of the attorney, is not as obvious as it may sound. Sometimes the hiring is completed by an express act such as signing a contract to hire an attorney to represent you. In this situation it is clear that an attorney-client relationship has been formed. However, an attorney-client relationship can also be implied by the conduct of the parties. Many times, a person may seek advice from an attorney, such as by calling the attorney’s office, and perhaps get a consultation. If the client can establish that he had a reasonable belief that an attorney-client relationship was formed, a claim for legal malpractice may be made. Paying an attorney for fees is also not expressly required to establish. There are many times, such as in a contingency fee case, where a client does not pay the attorney any fees.

Once an attorney is hired to represent a client, the attorney is required to use reasonable degree of skill to pursue his client’s objectives. Although an attorney cannot guarantee a specific result for a client, he must take all steps foreseeably necessary to obtain the outcome that the client has communicated to him. There may be times when the attorney and client disagree on a certain strategy to take in a case. If the attorney exercised an honest amount of reasonable professional judgement, a legal malpractice claim may not be successful. In other words, mistake of judgment will not necessarily make an attorney liable for malpractice. However, if the attorney failed to take reasonable steps or mismanage the case, then a claim for malpractice may be made.

A legal malpractice claims cannot be made just because the outcome of the case was negative for the client. Rather, the client must prove that not only should he have obtained a favorable judgment, but also that the judgment also would have entitled the client to damages. In other words, the client must prove that but for the negligence, or malpractice, of his attorney, he would have been awarded damages. A client may also be able to recover for any fees that he paid to the attorney as part of the legal malpractice claim.

If you have suffered from negligent representation by an attorney, click here to contact our office and speak to one of our experienced legal malpractice attorneys to see if you are eligible to file a claim.

Case Results
$1 MillionLegal Malpractice
$775,000Legal Malpractice

Client Reviews

I was in a head-on collision last year that put me in a wheelchair with a fractured femur. I needed an attorney and my cousin recommended this firm because he had used Briant Mildenhall for his accident. I was glad I called Briant because he always did what he said he would do and kept me informed...

Michael G.

After a head–on collision I had extremely serious injuries to my back and neck, and some internal injuries. I was airlifted to the hospital and started a huge amount of medical expenses accumulating. I hired a lawyer recommended by a friend but I was not satisfied. My cousin told me about this...

Ronda W.

After my car accident, I was looking for an attorney and came across the name Katz Personal Injury Lawyers. My intuition told me to call. I called in and Briant Mildenhall talked to me. He was very clear and honest about my options. As the case went forward, Briant and the staff at the law office...

Antonio J.

I am 100% satisfied. I called Rob the day after the accident. Everything he said that would happen did, every step of the way. He went beyond what we needed him to do. I would definitely use him again and recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer.

Steve H.

Robert Katz isn't your average personal injury lawyer. He has specialized knowledge and experience that the others don't.

Timothy W.

Contact Us

  1. 1 Free Consultation
  2. 2 No Obligation
  3. 3 Exceptional Personal Service
Complete the contact form or call us at (888) 426-2100
to schedule your free consultation.

Leave Us a Message

I have read the disclaimer. (Required)
Please note that sending us a message via our website or any other online property does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and any lawyer at Katz Wright & Fleming, LLC.