An issue which periodically arises (although it is rarely decided) in the insurance realm is whether there is coverage for fee disputes under legal malpractice policies, particularly where there is a claim in the complaint for malpractice.  The analysis of this issue must begin with an examination of the policy insuring agreements, which typically require that, to trigger a duty to defend, the complaint must allege both covered conduct and covered damages.  See Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s v. Lacher and Lovell-Taylor, transcript opinion (Sup. Ct., N.Y. Co. 2012), aff’d, 112 A.D.3d 434, 975 N.Y.S.2d 870 (1st Dept. 2013) (fee dispute).

As to the first of those requirements, the question is whether the complaint involves the rendering of professional services.