Legal Malpractice Avoidance Checklist
I know I did a post on this subject a couple of weeks ago, linking to a site that had some techniques to help lawyers avoid malpractice claims. But here is another site with yet another handy list of fourteen ways to avoid a claim.
A sample taken directly from the site:
11. REJECTING CERTAIN CLIENTS AND CASES
As attorneys gain experience, they learn that certain clients and certain cases are better off rejected at the outset. Some red flag warnings follow:
- Beware of the client who is changing attorneys.
- Look out for the case that has already been rejected by one or more other firms.
- Avoid the case that has an element of unavoidable urgency.
- Beware of the client who has already contacted multiple government representatives to plead his case.
- Beware of the client who wants to proceed with his case because of principle and regardless of cost.
- Beware of a client who has done considerable legal research in propria personal on his case.
- Beware of the client who is obviously recognizable as being impaired by chemical substances, alcohol, drugs, etc.
- If your first impression of the client or his course of action is unfavorable, think twice before accepting his case.
- If you and your client cannot easily agree on fee and retainer, you may be dealing with a difficult client.
