Representing Lawyers Accused of Professional Negligence
A lawyer's potential exposure to legal malpractice liability is often a fact of life in today's legal environment. Long gone are the days when a lawyer could avoid liability for damages simply by demonstrating the subjective good faith of his decisions. A complex and evolving set of legal rules and principles govern lawyer liability. A lawyer alleged to have committed legal malpractice in the representation of a client needs experienced counsel to defend these often intricate cases. CMW's breadth and depth of experience in the legal malpractice defense field, including negotiated resolutions, summary judgments, trials and appeals enables us to confidently and competently address and defend Texas lawyers exposed to civil liability claims and/or professional discipline.
At Cobb Martinez Woodward PLLC, in Dallas, we provide steadfast, knowledgeable and empathetic representation to lawyers throughout Texas who have been accused of legal malpractice. We represent both insured and self-insured attorneys and firms.
Defending Attorneys Against Malpractice Related Causes of Action
Texas attorneys are vulnerable to a wide range of malpractice related claims and causes of action. Our firm is experienced at providing legal malpractice defense representation to lawyers accused of violating professional standards in a number of ways, including the following:
- Conflict of interest: Simultaneous representation of conflicting interests, failures to disclose material facts, breaches of the duty of loyalty.
- Breach of fiduciary duty: Mishandling client funds, misusing privileged and confidential information, business transactions with clients.
- Negligence: Substantive legal errors, substandard draftsmanship, missed deadlines, litigation errors.
- Fraud: Concealing material information, fabrication.
- Negligent misrepresentation: Erroneous reports or opinions for the guidance of others in business transactions.
CMW attorney William D. Cobb, Jr. is well-known for his work in defending Texas attorneys against legal malpractice cases. In 2002, the Texas Lawyer newspaper described Mr. Cobb as one of its seven defense attorneys lawyers would choose to defend them if they were sued for legal malpractice. In 2009 and 2010, he was named by BestLawyers among its Best Lawyers in America in the defense of legal malpractice cases. CMW attorney Carrie Johnson Phaneuf serves on the Board of Directors of Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange, one of Texas' major providers of legal professional liability insurance coverage.
We are experienced at providing skilled representation to our client attorneys while complying with the budgetary, billing and reporting guidelines of their legal malpractice insurance carriers. To consult with CMW, please contact us at our offices in Dallas. to schedule a consultation.
