Regarding the mandatory procurement of malpractice insurance for all attorneys throughout Georgia, if implemented without much further thought and planning, and real input not just from attorneys who will make money from malpractice litigation, but attorneys all over Georgia with various noninsurance related practices, this move will be ruinous, not only for the majority of attorneys throughout the state but its citizens as well.
First, as an attorney who has taken a large share of appointed cases for our circuit defender in Cobb County as part of his caseload, my practice does not have impressive yearly revenues. Still, I manage to provide what the large majority of my clients would tell you has been excellent service while I run my office on a shoestring budget. Requiring me to have malpractice insurance will mean I take far fewer, and quite possibly no, circuit defender cases. After speaking with other attorneys, I know I am not the only one in this position.
