Lawyers have to go through intensive graduate schooling and also pass the daunting bar exam in order to legally practice law in California. Those who hire attorneys expect that the combination of education and experience the attorney has accumulated over their...
Legal Malpractice
Make Sure Your Trial Lawyer Has Trial Experience
No one would have a doctor perform brain surgery who had never performed the procedure before. Yet, many clients go to trial with lawyers who have little or no trial experience. Often, clients simply assume their lawyers have trial experience and do not bother to ask....
Lawyers – Do You Want to Do Business With Your Client? Read This First!
Some lawyers think the California Rules Of Professional Conduct prohibit them from doing business with clients. However, lawyers are free to engage in business transactions with clients if they follow three simple rules set forth in California Rule of Professional...
Does Stormy Daniels Have a Legal Malpractice Action against Michael Avenatti?
If Stormy Daniels' allegations about Michael Avenatti's representation are true, then Daniels likely has a legal malpractice action against Avenatti, and he could face California State Bar discipline.Even though Michael Avenatti represented Stormy Daniels in cases...
A Significant Ruling in a Legal Malpractice Binding Arbitration
's client, a major employer in San Diego, hired Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, the largest and oldest law firm in San Diego, to evaluate its employment practices. After making a few tweaks to the company's policies, the law firm said the...
Mark B. Wilson Certified as a Specialist in Legal Malpractice Law
Mark B. Wilson has been certified as a specialist in legal malpractice law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The State Bar of California program for certifying legal specialists is a California Supreme Court approved method of certifying...
Avoid Attorney-Client Fee Disputes By Discussing The Economics Of Litigation
Many potential clients are surprised at the expenses associated with litigation. Unsophisticated purchasers of legal services do not understand the inefficiencies associated with getting their cases to trial and are frustrated by the gamesmanship over procedural...
Failing to Perform Competently Can Subject Attorneys to Discipline
Lawyers get sued for malpractice all the time, but it is rare for the California State Bar to discipline lawyers for incompetency. Nevertheless, California Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1.1, entitled "Competence," addresses this issue.By way of background,...
My Lawyer Screwed Up!!! Can I Sue for Legal Malpractice?
Like other professions, lawyers sometimes make mistakes and those mistakes may have substantial consequences. So, when does an attorney's mistake justify a legal malpractice lawsuit? Ultimately, a viable legal malpractice claim will turn on the facts of the case, but...
When Are Attorneys Required to Communicate With Clients?
New California Rule of Professional Conduct, rule 1.4 is packed with guidance on when lawyers must communicate with their clients. Before considering the details of the rule, put yourself in the client's position. If you hired a lawyer to handle a life changing event,...