Professional Liability Matters

LATEST INSIGHTS

April 21, 2016 • Coverage, Professional Liability Matters

Unfair Business Practices = Professional Liability?

What is a “professional liability” claim? Most definitions would include a claim involving a skilled professional – such as an attorney, accountant, doctor or broker – sued in her professional capacity, based upon allegations of negligence in the performance of professional services. The easiest example is a claim for legal malpractice: a client gets a negative or unexpected result, believes that this result is due to failings on the part of hired counsel, and subsequently brings a claim against his attorney for damages. Pretty cut and dry, right? Nope.

April 20, 2016 • General, Professional Liability Matters

The New Fiduciary Rule: Are you Prepared?

The Department of Labor recently announced its new Fiduciary Rule – aka the “conflicts of interest rule.” This new rule expands the definition of fiduciary and alters how investment advice is delivered in retirement accounts. It won’t go into effect for at least another year, but it’s not too early to start thinking about how the changes will affect the professionals who render this advice.

April 19, 2016 • Cyber-Liability, Professional Liability Matters

Cyber Risks for Contractors

Professional have become increasingly reliant on digital technology to run their practices. This digital revolution has reshaped the way that many professionals operate and has allowed professionals to better service their clients. At the same time, reliance on technology has created new areas of exposure for professionals.

April 14, 2016 • Accountants, Professional Liability Matters

Auditor Security Fraud: Negligence Not Enough Part II

For the second time in a few weeks, the Second Circuit dismissed a securities fraud claim targeting an independent auditor. In Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P.,, the Court was tasked with reviewing the trial court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s second amended complaint. The underlying allegations were that the company disclosed that its former CEO and other executives had committed fraud for years by misstating its financials and embezzling funds. Plaintiff alleged that the company’s independent auditor committed securities fraud by issuing a “clean audit opinion” of the company. Ultimately, the Appellate Court upheld the dismissal on the grounds that the plaintiff failed to properly plead the requisite element of scienter.

April 12, 2016 • Law Practice Management, Legal Malpractice, Professional Liability Matters

Guilty by Law Office Association

It’s not uncommon for small or solo attorneys to join together with others to share in operating and overhead costs of running a law firm. Attorneys can sometimes share office space, personnel and equipment yet run completely different practices independent of each other. However, what happens when one attorney is sued? Can any of the other attorneys also be held liable? Of course not, right? Well, according to a decision out of Tennessee it’s not entirely out of the question.

April 7, 2016 • Advertising, Professional Liability Matters

Ethics of Disclosing Client Identity in Advertising

Professionals love to advertise success stories. We want would-be clients to know the results we achieved for current clients. However, publicizing specific results could lead to the disclosure of confidential information. Professionals therefore must be cognizant of whether advertising a particular case or representation is likely to cause embarrassment or harm to the client, and ensure client confidentiality.

April 6, 2016 • Professional Liability Matters, Sanctions, Trial Tactics

Attorney Disbarred for Conspiring to have Adversary Arrested

Many professionals are driven, competitive, proud and devoted to their craft. Professionals want to achieve success for their clients, they want to win. But what defines success? Professionals must stay within the rules of the road at all times or the result will most certainly be a total failure. Take for example the attorney accused of conspiring to setup his adversary on a DUI charge. You can’t make this stuff up.

March 30, 2016 • Accountants, Professional Liability Matters

Auditor Securities Fraud: Negligence isn’t Enough

Unlike most malpractice scenarios, alleged negligence is not enough to sustain a claim in the context of securities fraud against an independent auditor. Rather, in most jurisdictions the plaintiff must establish that the audit was of such little value that it was a “pretend” audit which provided no benefit. Alleging that the auditor could have done more is insufficient absent properly pled allegations that the auditor maintained an evil intent or acted with reckless conduct. This standard is fairly well-developed. Yet, the exposure is often considerable and “victims” of alleged fraud committed by public companies continue to target the independent auditors engaged to audit those companies. A recent decision out of the SDNY highlights another victory for the defense community in securities fraud cases targeting an auditor.

March 29, 2016 • Professional Liability Matters, Sanctions

Attorney Jointly Liable with Client for Misconduct

Professionals must play the hand they’re dealt. Good, bad or ugly, a professional assesses the situation and provides a recommendation as to how to overcome certain obstacles and achieve the client’s objectives. However, professionals do not have unfettered authority. Rather, all classes of professionals are bound by certain guidelines which delineate how a professional must behave on behalf of the client. Professionals that stay the course will not be held accountable for the client’s indiscretions, mistakes or even intentional wrongdoing. But, in the rare scenario when a professional is complicit with the client, both may be held liable.

March 23, 2016 • Engagement Letters, Legal Malpractice, Professional Liability Matters, Risk Management

Representation Could Go Farther Than You Think

Hired for A but sued for Z? It may be a more common problem than you think. In overturning a lower court’s decision granting summary judgment, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court has added yet more fuel to the fire in the ever-evolving debate as to the scope of representation. In a recent decision, an appellate court held that an attorney tasked with a seemingly simple and defined engagement, may actually be on the hook for much more. This serves as an important reminder to effectively communicate with the client to ensure there is a consensus as to the scope and limits of the engagement.