When a lawyer neglects to meet the needs of his or her clients, the results can be legally and financially upsetting for the clients. New Jersey residents who work with attorneys expect them to protect their interests, and when they instead compromise those interests, it can be very damaging. When attorneys fail to meet the standards of practice for the profession, however, clients can fight back by pursuing a legal malpractice claim.
Two women recently filed a legal malpractice claim against their attorney in Louisiana, accusing him and his legal practice of making a number of mistakes, many of them having to do with acting in a timely manner and meeting deadlines.
The women had initially hired the attorney to represent them in a lawsuit against their former employer. The two say that the attorney failed to oppose a motion to dismiss and respond to requests for discovery within a timely manner. They also have argued that he failed to file exhibit and witness lists in accordance with the court’s scheduling requirements. Among other things, the lawsuit also accuses the attorney of failing to oppose several motions for summary judgment and failing to request an extension from the court in order to avoid missing a deadline.
The attorney has reportedly already admitted making mistakes.
The women have requested damages for their related emotional distress as well as the damages they might have been awarded had the original lawsuit against their employer been successful.
Timing is everything in legal cases. There are deadlines, scheduling requirements and statutes of limitations that attorneys are responsible to work within. When they do miss a deadline, fail to know the law, or fail to follow a client’s instructions, among other things, they can be held accountable with a legal malpractice action.
Source: The Louisiana Record, “Women accuse New Orleans attorney of legal malpractice,” Elizabeth Young, Feb. 2, 2013
