Legal Malpractice
When a lawyer fails to provide proper representation or acts negligently, causing harm or loss to a client.
What is Legal Malpractice?
Legal Malpractice occurs when an attorney fails to provide competent representation, breaches fiduciary duty, or acts negligently, resulting in harm or financial loss to a client, forming the basis for a civil lawsuit against the lawyer.
Why It Matters?
It protects clients, holds attorneys accountable, and ensures professional standards and ethical duties are maintained in legal practice.
Example
A lawyer misses a critical filing deadline, causing the client to lose a valid claim, giving rise to a legal malpractice lawsuit.
Related Terms
Mediation
Litigation