When Poor Legal Advice Crosses the Line Into Malpractice
Poor legal advice becomes legal malpractice when an attorney's negligent advice falls below the accepted standard of care and causes you financial harm. A disappointing result alone does not create a malpractice claim, but advice that no reasonably prudent attorney would have given under similar circumstances may.
When you're...
Can You Sue a Law Firm Instead of an Individual Attorney?
Yes, in many legal malpractice cases, you may be able to sue the law firm as well as, or instead of, the individual attorney who handled your case. Whether the firm can be held responsible depends on the facts, including the attorney's relationship with the firm and whether the attorney was acting...
What Is the “Case-Within-a-Case” Requirement in Legal Malpractice?
The "case-within-a-case" requirement is a legal malpractice rule that requires a plaintiff to prove not only that their attorney made a mistake, but also that they would have obtained a better outcome in the underlying case if the attorney had acted properly. In many Connecticut legal malpractice claims, this issue is...
Legal Malpractice Arising From Business Litigation in Connecticut
Business litigation can involve high-value contracts, shareholder disputes, partnership conflicts, trade secret claims, and other matters that directly affect a company's financial future. When an attorney's negligence causes a business to lose a claim, miss a recovery opportunity, or suffer avoidable financial harm, a legal malpractice claim may be appropriate under Connecticut...
Can a Lawyer Be Sued for Withdrawing From a Case at the Wrong Time?
A lawyer may be sued for withdrawing from a case at the wrong time if the withdrawal violated professional duties and caused the client measurable harm. In Connecticut, a lawyer may be allowed or even required to withdraw in some situations, but withdrawal must generally be handled in a way that protects...
When a Lawyer Settles Your Case Without Permission
A lawyer generally cannot settle your case without your permission. In Connecticut, the decision to accept or reject a settlement belongs to the client, not the attorney. A lawyer may recommend a settlement, explain risks, and negotiate terms, but the client must authorize the final decision. Connecticut Rule of Professional Conduct...
Do Legal Malpractice Claims Require Expert Testimony in Connecticut?
In most Connecticut legal malpractice cases, expert testimony is required. Courts usually rely on qualified attorneys to explain the standard of care and whether it was breached. Without that testimony, many claims cannot proceed unless the mistake is obvious to a non-lawyer.
When Is Expert Testimony Required in...
When Does Bad Legal Strategy Become Malpractice in Connecticut?
A lawyer’s bad strategy is not automatically legal malpractice in Connecticut. Courts do not treat every losing argument, failed motion, or disappointing result as negligence. To have a valid malpractice claim, you must show that the lawyer’s handling of the matter fell below the professional standard of care and that the...
When Settlement Pressure Becomes Legal Negligence
Settlement pressure becomes legal negligence when your attorney pushes you to accept an agreement without proper preparation, investigation, or full disclosure, and that pressure causes financial harm. Lawyers can recommend settlement. They cannot coerce, mislead, or place their own interests above yours.
Most civil cases in Connecticut settle. That...
What Happens After You File a Legal Malpractice Lawsuit in Connecticut
After you file a legal malpractice lawsuit in Connecticut, the case moves into a structured court process that includes service of process, pleadings, discovery, possible motions, and, in some cases, trial. While every case is different, the path forward follows clear procedural rules and deadlines.
If you are...