Lawyers that sue lawyers are known as legal malpractice attorneys. Lawyers themselves are law experts, so using them for their misconduct is usually very difficult to handle, as they are fully aware of the loopholes and safe exits that exist.
This is why you need specialized lawyers to sue such lawyers to ensure you get the justice you deserve.
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How to Find Lawyers that Sue Lawyers?
Finding a lawyer to sue another lawyer is not difficult at all. But not just any random lawyer will do. In this case, the lawyer has to be an expert in the area in order to fully resolve the issue. Hiring a lawyer for legal malpractice is a common practice but requires some nuanced approaches.
Firstly, you have to do your research. Try your best to understand the situation you are in. Talk to a legal expert or an advisor to navigate the issue you are facing, and they will guide you through the kind of case you are dealing with. Such knowledge will later help you collaborate better with your lawyer.
Here’s what you have to do after you are familiar with the case:
Pinpoint Potential Lawyers
You cannot hope to make a quick Google search and rely on whoever comes up first. But yes, you can use online resources such as review websites, bar association websites, and legal directories to find specialized lawyers. However, it’s always best to seek recommendations from trusted sources like friends, family, or other reputable legal professionals. Personal recommendations are very valuable in such scenarios.
Even after all that, review the credentials and track records of the lawyers. Do a quick background check, verify their professional licenses, and examine all aspects of their professional record. Most importantly, verify if they are an experienced legal malpractice attorney. Their record should speak to that. A good lawyer has a history professionally organized, and it’s clean both in appearance and in quality.
Read More: Top 5 Lawyer Websites You Can Rely On
Primary Consultation
Once you have identified a few potential lawyers, get deeper into the process. Schedule consultations with them and discuss your case. This is where your knowledge of the case comes in handy.
Discuss your situation and observe their communication style, depth of knowledge, and level of confidence. Most importantly, assess the experience of the lawyers. It takes years of first-hand experience to fight against another lawyer, so always make sure you choose an experienced option.
Estimate the Total Cost
Once you are satisfied with your choices, try to understand their fee structure. You should have a clear understanding of the financial implications of the contract you are entering into.
There might be some additional costs as well. So, before closing the deal, ask them for an estimated amount for the entire process to be fully aware of what’s involved.
Having Alternative Ready
Not only is it okay, but it is also recommended to have a second option ready. Don’t rely entirely on just one lawyer. Instead, opt for at least two options. This will give you security and offer multiple perspectives.
Overall, having a second option can help you compare and make an informed decision.
Finalizing the Decision
Once you have your pick, negotiate all terms with them. This discussion should include topics such as the payment method, scope of services, and the approach you will take in case of conflicts of interest. In some cases, the attorney you are hiring or the attorney you are suing may have a past. Make sure no such circumstances arise in your case.
Most importantly, discuss and be aware of all the rights and obligations that apply to you. Document everything that takes place as well.
When everything is proper and ready, trust your instincts and finalize the lawyer that fits you best.
How to Sue a Lawyer for Malpractice
Now that you have your attorney, let’s take a quick look at how the entire process of suing a lawyer goes.
Step 1: Gather and organize all the documents of your original case. These documents should include the complete case file from the alleged lawyer.
Collect all sorts of relevant documents as well. This can include,
- Contracts
- Communication records
- Evidence supporting your claims
Step 2: Hand over all the documents to the legal malpractice attorney you picked. Discuss everything with them once you are done with the files. It’s important to be on the same page, which is why the discussion matters a lot.
Keep the discussion going until you are completely sure of the entire situation.
After that, follow the advice of your attorney. If everything goes well, they’ll handle the rest
Step 3: Make court appearances if needed. In all cases, you need to have certain things to be successful in your malpractice case. These elements primarily include,
- Evidence showing that your attorney owed you a duty of care.
- Sufficient proof that your original attorney breached the contract you had with them.
- Data/details showing that the original attorney’s misconduct/malpractice caused you harm, damage, or loss.
With a good legal malpractice attorney, you don’t have to take on much hassle. Still, knowing about these essential steps can keep you on the right path.
Top-rated Legal Malpractice Lawyers in the USA
It’s better to do your research and find a lawyer who suits you best. All cases are unique, which is why they require specific types of lawyers that only you can determine.
However, if you are at a total loss, you can check out the top-rated legal malpractice lawyers located in the USA. This list below can serve as a starting point in your journey to find a lawyer to sue other lawyers.
- David P. Ackerman: He’s from a law firm in Florida. His expertise includes fighting malpractice lawyers. Specifically, his focus is on breach of contract.
- John W. Allen: Allen is an expert from Michigan. With years of experience as a legal malpractice lawyer, his specialized focus is on antitrust.
- Key Anderle: She’s one of the best female legal malpractice lawyers in Pennsylvania. Her experience has won her multiple awards as well.
- David Atkins: A legal expert from Connecticut. His experience as a legal malpractice lawyer is focused on professional responsibility law.
FAQ
What are common grounds for suing a lawyer for malpractice?
The common grounds for suing a lawyer of malpractice include,
1.Negligence
2.Breach of fiduciary duty
3.Failure to meet deadlines
4.Conflict of interest
5.Insufficient legal advice
6.Mishandling of a case
7.Causing financial loss or loss of any kind
How difficult is it to prove legal malpractice?
Proving legal malpractice is quite challenging. In such cases, just showing the misconduct isn’t enough. The plaintiff also has to prove that the misconduct has caused them significant loss or damage. In addition, it’s tough to fight a case against a lawyer, as they are experts in the field. This is why a specialized attorney is the way to go in such cases.
Can I switch lawyers if I suspect my current lawyer of malpractice?
Yes, you have the legal right to change your lawyer anytime you want. But you need to have sufficient cause for doing so. If you suspect anything, start documenting your concerns and everything that happens during the case. Then, consult with another attorney to handle the matter properly.
Final Words
Sometimes a lawyer messes up, and that’s a really unfortunate scenario. But, as you can see, there’s still hope. If you find yourself in a situation where your lawyer is the cause of your problems, get a legal malpractice lawyer. This complete guide should navigate you through the entire process and help you find a foolproof solution. Overall, with the right steps, you are sure to get the justice you deserve.
