The landscape for litigating attorneys has changed dramatically over the 33 years that I’ve been in practice. Cases are more complex, stakes are higher, and competition is more intense. Judges and opposing counsel are less accommodating and the rules and procedures that line the litigation process like a gauntlet are more complicated than ever. Clients, big and small, are also more demanding and more willing to seek redress for mistakes they perceive their attorneys have made.
But the nature of malpractice claims has also changed, with differences that often depend on the size of the firm. Interestingly, big firms and small firms, including solo practitioners, make different kinds of mistakes. While there are many types of errors that can lead to malpractice claims, this article focuses on just a few that I’ve seen emerging.
