Seth L. Laver, a partner in Goldberg Segalla’s Management and Professional Liability group, spoke with Law360 to provide commentary on the potential risks attorneys may face while providing pro bono work to clients.  

Pro bono work may often require an attorney to work outside of their legal expertise or primary area of law that they practice, which may leave them more vulnerable to errors. “Statistically, attorneys are at a significantly higher risk of malpractice when they ‘dabble,'” Seth explained. 

Seth further cautioned that pro bono assignments conducted outside of an attorney’s designated scope of employment might further cause issue should a lawsuit arise “… because some insurance policies exclude coverage for claims arising from pro bono assignments.”  

MORE ABOUT GOLDBERG SEGALLA’S SETH L. LAVER:  

Seth L. Laver, a partner in Goldberg Segalla’s Philadelphia office, focuses largely on matters of professional liability, representing attorneys, accountants, and other professionals, while also defending employers in employment practices liability (EPL) and other types of employment-related litigation. Seth is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, but regularly counsels and represents professionals and employers throughout the United States. 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:  

“Screening, Supervision Key to Avoiding Pro Bono Errors,” Law360, December 2, 2022