When you hire an attorney in California, you place your future and finances in their hands. While most professionals adhere to the California Rules of Professional Conduct (CRPC), certain errors cross the line from a simple mistake to legal malpractice. In the Golden...
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Legal Malpractice
What steps to take when your town lawyer fails?
You trust your lawyer with your most private matters so when that trust breaks, it can shake your sense of safety. In that moment, you may feel stuck, along and unsure who to turn to next. And in a small town, the pressure often grows since word can travel fast and...
What does “case-within-a-case” mean in legal malpractice?
When a lawyer makes a mistake that costs you your case, it can feel like a betrayal of trust. Still, that error alone does not mean you will win a malpractice claim. In California, you must show it is more likely than not that you would have obtained a better result...
What if your lawyer settles your case without approval?
When a legal dispute reaches settlement talks, the decision to accept or reject an offer belongs to you. Your attorney may explain the strengths of your case and the risks of going to trial, but you make the final call. If your attorney agrees to settle your case...
When hidden lawyer relationships affect family law cases
You trust your lawyer to focus only on your goals. In a divorce or custody fight, that trust matters even more. Emotions run high and the outcome may shape your finances and your time with your children. So you may feel uneasy if you learn your lawyer shares a close...
How long can a lawyer hold settlement funds in California?
Your lawyer can’t legally hold your settlement funds for more than 45 days after they become clearly owed to you—unless they provide a written reason or explain a valid dispute. If there are no liens or accounting issues left, California’s ethics rules say they must...
Can missed deadlines lead to a legal malpractice claim every time?
Deadlines shape every legal matter, and missing one can raise serious concerns about a lawyer’s performance. Still, a missed deadline does not automatically create a legal malpractice claim under California law. Whether a claim exists depends on the type of deadline,...
Can you ever have too much faith in a legal representative?
Glickman & Glickman, A Law Corporation due 1226 [336Many people rely heavily on the legal representatives they contract. In many ways, this is precisely why they are hiring them —to do things they do not have the knowledge or experience, or perhaps just the time,...
What steps should I take if I suspect legal malpractice?
You may have hired a California lawyer to handle a serious legal issue. Over time, something may seem off. You may notice a deadline that passed without explanation, a filing that does not appear in the record or a communication that slows without a clear reason....
What counts as legal malpractice in California?
In a legal case, you likely expect your lawyer to act in your best interest and protect your rights. Sometimes mistakes happen and you may wonder whether they qualify as legal malpractice under California law. Knowing what this term generally means can help you...