SUED FOR MALPRACTICE?  THREATENED WITH SUIT?  CHOOSE COUNSEL WISELY

If you have been sued for malpractice, one of the most important decisions that will be made in your case is the selection of your counsel. Many malpractice insurance carriers allow you to select or participate in the selection process.

Here are some of key questions you should ask regarding the attorneys you are considering.

• WHAT IS THEIR LEVEL OF TRIAL EXPERIENCE,  AND WHAT IS THEIR LEVEL OF TRIAL EXPERIENCE IN LEGAL/PROFESSIONAL  MALPRACTICE CASES IN PARTICULAR?

While most cases settle, having an experienced trial attorney is often a key factor in reaching better and faster settlements.  Having counsel with a track record of a willingness to go to trial in the proper circumstance usually creates enormous settlement leverage. This is particularly true if your counsel has extensive experience trying legal malpractice cases.  Conversely, if your counsel has limited trial experience, it may be more difficult to reach a settlement because your opponent knows or believes your counsel will fold at the end.  And obviously, in those rare instances where you do have to go to trial, having an experienced legal malpractice trial attorney is invaluable. 

• WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE OF THE ATTORNEYS WHO WILL BE HANDLING YOUR CASE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS?  WHAT IS THEIR LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE IN LEGAL/PROFESSIONAL  MALPRACTICE CASES IN PARTICULAR?

It is critical that the attorney who will be doing the bulk of the work on your case is highly experienced, particularly in the professional malpractice area.  Even if the senior attorney attached to your case is highly qualified, make sure that the attorney who is doing the bulk of the work is not an associate or junior partner with only a few years of experience on your type of case.  Inexperience can result in critical and often costly mistakes.

Also make sure the senior attorney will be actively involved in all aspects of your case, and will be providing guidance and oversight on all of the important decisions that will have to be made.

In addition to representing lawyers, Schonfeld, Bertsche & Preciado, LLP is also highly experienced in representing a wide range of other professionals, including:

• Accountants
• Real Estate & Mortgage Professionals
• Securities Brokers & Dealers
• Insurance Agents & Brokers
• Directors & Officers
• Appraisers & Miscellaneous
• Architects & Engineers