Lawyers from Lindquist & Vennum, which is now part of Philadelphia-based Ballard Spahr, may have to face a legal malpractice action in court after a Philadelphia judge found an arbitration clause in the firm’s retainer agreement to be in violation of ethical requirements.

The lawyers from Lindquist & Vennum “failed to reasonably disclose the prospective limitations the firm was placing on its own liability for malpractice” in its retainer agreement with ex-client Mackin Medical, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy Djerassi wrote in an opinion filed Dec. 26.