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...
The Judicial Website
As a client involved in Connecticut State litigation, you should know that all official state court filings are publicly available on the Connecticut judicial website known as jud.ct.gov. You can enter this website and search for your case under the case name, which will likely include your name, or search under the...
Legal Malpractice and Missed Deadlines: Consequences of Late Filing in Connecticut
In legal matters, individuals may have to meet various deadlines, such as filing claims within a specific time after their cause of action accrued, or submitting documents to courts or administrative agencies. Missing deadlines can make or break an individual’s case, potentially leading to the loss of critical legal rights or options....
“Do I Need a Second Lawyer?” — Knowing When to Seek Legal Malpractice Counsel
If your attorney has been missing deadlines for your case or failing to return your calls, you might be starting to question their work and wondering, “Do I need a second lawyer?” When a lawyer agrees to represent you, they have a duty to keep you informed, keep track of the important...
What to Do if Your Lawyer Ruined Your Personal Injury Claim with Legal Malpractice
You hired an attorney to fight for...
Signs Your Lawyer May Be Breaching Their Duty of Care
Stanfield Law Firm Leads Seminar at Annual Connecticut Bar Association Meeting and Shares Thoughts on Key Legal Malpractice Issues and Rulings for Other Connecticut Lawyers
Helping attorneys stay ahead of evolving malpractice laws, client rights, and precedent-setting rulings.
Attorneys across Connecticut gained fresh insight into legal malpractice issues and law this summer as Sandra Stanfield shared the latest issues, views, and landmark rulings at the Connecticut Bar Association’s annual meeting.
Failure to Know or Apply the Law: When Ignorance Is Not Bliss
When you hire an attorney, you expect them to understand the law that applies to your case. Unfortunately, not every attorney meets that standard. Some make avoidable mistakes—misreading the law, missing key legal updates, or simply applying the wrong statute or rule altogether.
These errors can have serious consequences....
How to Avoid Legal Malpractice: A Guide for Attorneys
Legal malpractice claims are a reality for lawyers in every area of practice—even those with spotless records and good intentions. In a busy practice, it’s easy to overlook the small things. But as many attorneys learn too late, it’s often the small things that get you into trouble.
This...