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Full-Text Articles in Law
In The Midst Of Change, A Few Truths Remain—A Review Of Trazenfeld And Jarvis’S Florida Legal Malpractice Law, Jan L. Jacobowitz Ms.
In The Midst Of Change, A Few Truths Remain—A Review Of Trazenfeld And Jarvis’S Florida Legal Malpractice Law, Jan L. Jacobowitz Ms.
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
Abstract forthcoming.
Securing Technological Privacy: Modernizing The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct To Protect Electronic Data, Ashley "Nikki" Vega
Securing Technological Privacy: Modernizing The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct To Protect Electronic Data, Ashley "Nikki" Vega
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
This comment explains how and why the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (the “Texas Disciplinary Rules”) should be updated to reflect the modernization of technology. Lawyers must keep abreast of changes in the law and its practices; including those which are technological in nature. The American Bar Association (the “ABA”) recently amended the “technology provisions” of its Model Rules of Professional Conduct (the “Model Rules”); namely Rule 1.1 “Competence” and Rule 1.6 “Confidentiality of Information” in order to keep up with the benefits and risks associated with technology in the legal profession. Additionally, over half of all jurisdictions have …
Mandatory Legal Malpractice Insurance: Exposing Lawyers' Blind Spots, Susan S. Fortney
Mandatory Legal Malpractice Insurance: Exposing Lawyers' Blind Spots, Susan S. Fortney
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
The legal landscape for lawyers’ professional liability in the United States is changing. In 2018, Idaho implemented a new rule requiring that lawyers carry legal malpractice insurance. The adoption of the Idaho rule was the first move in forty years by a state to require legal malpractice insurance since Oregon mandated lawyer participation in a malpractice insurance regime. Over the last two years, a few states have considered whether their jurisdictions should join Oregon and Idaho in requiring malpractice insurance for lawyers in private practice. To help inform the discussion, the article examines different positions taken in the debate on …
Causation And "Legal Certainty" In Legal Malpractice Law, Vincent R. Johnson
Causation And "Legal Certainty" In Legal Malpractice Law, Vincent R. Johnson
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
A line of California cases holds that causation of damages in legal malpractice actions must be proven with “legal certainty.” This Article argues that judicial references to legal certainty are ambiguous and threaten to undermine the fairness of legal malpractice litigation as a means for resolving lawyer-client disputes. Courts should eschew the language of legal certainty and plainly state that damages are recoverable if a legal malpractice plaintiff proves, by a preponderance of the evidence, that those losses were factually and proximately caused by the defendant’s breach of duty.
Keep Suing All The Lawyers: Recent Developments In Claims Against Lawyers For Aiding & Abetting A Client’S Breach Of Fiduciary Duty, Katerina P. Lewinbuk
Keep Suing All The Lawyers: Recent Developments In Claims Against Lawyers For Aiding & Abetting A Client’S Breach Of Fiduciary Duty, Katerina P. Lewinbuk
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
Lawyers have increasingly become subject to liability under various legal theories, ranging from traditional legal malpractice or negligence liability claims to various third-party actions. Most recently, state and federal courts across the country have recognized attorney liability for aiding and abetting a client’s breach of fiduciary duty. This Article will address the current status of the cause of action for a lawyer’s aiding and abetting her client’s breach of fiduciary duty, explain the commonalities and distinguish nuances as outlined by particular states, examine recent decisions by federal courts that have recognized the cause of action, and culminate in its conclusion …
A Professional (Lack Of) Courtesy: The Emergence Of Expert Testimony In Legal And Medical Malpractice Cases., Jeffrey I.H. Soffer
A Professional (Lack Of) Courtesy: The Emergence Of Expert Testimony In Legal And Medical Malpractice Cases., Jeffrey I.H. Soffer
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
This Article investigates the role of expert testimony in legal malpractice and medical malpractice cases; analyzing similarities and differences between the two and the evolution of case law in this context. The Article also examines numerous challenges potential expert witnesses face, including harsh backlash from their colleagues and repercussions from their professional organizations. Finally, the Article discusses the future of the legal malpractice and medical malpractice landscape as it pertains to expert testimony and what we should look for moving forward.
Evidentiary Standards In The Legal Malpractice Trial-Within-A-Trial., F. Parks Brown
Evidentiary Standards In The Legal Malpractice Trial-Within-A-Trial., F. Parks Brown
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
Like malpractice actions in general, the standards of proof required for each element of a legal malpractice claim evolved as legal malpractice claims became increasingly common. State and federal courts consequently produced a diverse range of opinions as jurisdictions continually adjust to evolving standards. The courts often seek to balance these standards of proof against their own precedent and the need to serve their particular notions of equity and justice. Perhaps the most contentious of these evolving standards of proof is the current state of the causation element, which is a critical test that must be satisfied to prevail in …
The Roles Of Attorneys As Courtroom Experts: Revisiting The Conventional Limitations And Their Exceptions., David S. Caudill
The Roles Of Attorneys As Courtroom Experts: Revisiting The Conventional Limitations And Their Exceptions., David S. Caudill
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
This Article examines whether attorneys should be allowed to testify as legal experts, especially in the legal malpractice context. This Article starts by addressing the unclear distinction between questions of law and fact and reviews several recent cases that prohibited expert legal testimony. Next, this Article addresses some general exceptions to the prohibition against expert legal testimony, such as questions of complex and uncertain law. Finally, this Article examines the use of legal experts in legal malpractice cases.
Shifting The Burden Of Proof On Causation In Legal Malpractice Actions., Jeffrie D. Boysen
Shifting The Burden Of Proof On Causation In Legal Malpractice Actions., Jeffrie D. Boysen
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
Legal malpractice suits, like any negligence claim, require the plaintiff to meet all of the elements of the malpractice claim. Texas malpractice claims are based on professional negligence. In Texas, the elements a plaintiff must prove in a legal malpractice claim are: "(1) the attorney owed the plaintiff a duty; (2) the attorney breached that duty; (3) the breach proximately caused the plaintiffs injuries; and (4) damages occurred." Most jurisdictions, including Texas, place the burden on the plaintiff to meet all elements of the claim, including causation. However, a significant minority of jurisdictions allow the burden to shift to the …
Legal Malpractice Litigation And The Duty To Report Misconduct., Vincent R. Johnson
Legal Malpractice Litigation And The Duty To Report Misconduct., Vincent R. Johnson
St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics
Lawyers participating in legal malpractice litigation sometimes encounter evidence of serious disciplinary rule violations. Whether, and how soon, those lawyers are required to report this information to grievance authorities is a question that has received little attention from courts and scholars, despite the fact that most states have mandatory reporting rules. The dilemma for lawyers serving as testifying experts is particularly troublesome because nonreporting may result not only in discipline, but testimonial impeachment. The better view is that an expert in a pending case ordinarily has no mandatory obligation to report misconduct. This conclusion is supported by an analysis of …