Attorneys sometimes perceive conflicts of interest as impediments to taking on new business. However, they can also lead to high verdicts in legal malpractice cases, given how a breach of the duty of loyalty can be an easy concept to explain to a jury.
Most attorneys are well-versed in navigating traditional conflicts, by running conflicts checks for new clients or new matters. However, there can be potential conflicts created outside the traditional attorney-client relationship. These can create greater risks because sometimes they may go unnoticed.
