A TEXAS LAW FIRM with a NATIONAL REPUTATION for RELENTLESSLY PURSUING JUSTICE.

Lawyers are not above the law. Legal malpractice can cost businesses and business owners millions of dollars. Hilliard Law is committed to taking on these law firms, defending victims of legal malpractice and attorney negligence, and recovering their losses.

An attorney speaking with her client while they are sitting at her desk.

TEXAS ATTORNEYS NOT AFRAID TO TAKE ON BIG LAW

In the complex world of corporate law, legal malpractice can be a costly and damaging event for businesses. It is essential to have experienced legal representation to navigate the intricacies of legal malpractice claims, protect your interests, and hold negligent attorneys accountable. Hilliard Law, a team of Texas corporate legal malpractice lawyers, is a trusted partner in this process, providing guidance and support for corporations facing legal malpractice issues.

If you’ve been financially harmed by your own attorney’s failure to act by applicable standards, Hilliard Law can help. From business transactions to real estate contracts, as well as tax, probate, bankruptcy, and divorce matters, our attorneys aren’t afraid of confronting big law firms and attorneys, making them pay for their gross negligence. 

Below are just a few cases our experienced attorneys handle:

  • Drafting Errors
  • Missed Deadlines
  • Failure to Know and/or Apply the Law
  • Lack of Due Diligence
  • Failure to Investigate
  • Failure to Obtain Client Consent
  • Ethical Violations
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • Improper Drafting of Agreements
  • Improper Drafting of Business Transaction Documents
  • Lawsuit Mishandling

Don’t let the negligence of others jeopardize your financial stability. Take the first step towards resolution by calling us at 361-203-4394 for a free consultation. Hilliard Law is here to guide you through the legal process and help you reclaim the damages caused by legal malpractice.

Navigating Corporate Legal Malpractice Claims in Texas

Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney fails to provide services with the level of care, skill, and diligence that is expected of other attorneys in similar conditions and circumstances. This can include failures such as not adhering to a client’s instructions, not fulfilling contractual obligations to the client, or not appearing for a hearing, which can lead to detriment to the client and their case. In such situations, clients may pursue legal malpractice actions against the negligent attorney with the help of a legal malpractice lawyer.

Hilliard Law guides clients through the complexities of corporate legal malpractice claims in Texas, guaranteeing comprehensive knowledge of the process.

Identifying Breaches of Fiduciary Duty

A fiduciary duty is a legal requirement for professionals. They must act in the interest of the client or party they are serving. Breaching this duty can damage the trust between client and lawyer and may escalate legal malpractice issues to higher courts, such as the Texas Supreme Court. Fraudulent behavior by an attorney, for example, is considered a form of legal malpractice and a violation of legal ethics, which can subject the attorney to disciplinary sanctions, fines, and disbarment.

Hilliard Law aids clients in recognizing breaches of fiduciary duty, determining the appropriate course of action, and holding culpable parties accountable for their misconduct.

The Role of Competent Representation in Business Disputes

Competent representation in business disputes is critical to safeguarding the client’s interests and ensuring prompt and efficient dispute resolution. Inadequate representation can lead to:

  • A decrease in faith in the lawyer and the legal system
  • Procrastination and delay in dealing with legal matters
  • Incapability to perform representation competently and expeditiously
  • Improper conflict of interest
  • Erroneous decision-making that can detrimentally affect the case
  • Unethical conduct that can damage the client’s interests.

Hilliard Law guarantees adept representation in business disputes, reducing the risk of legal malpractice allegations while providing effective and knowledgeable legal counsel.

Legal Malpractice and the Corporate Attorney-Client Relationship

Hilliard Law, a reputable law firm in private practice, underscores the significance of a strong attorney-client relationship in business law to guarantee optimal representation and prevent possible legal malpractice issues, setting us apart from other lawyers.

A strong attorney-client relationship in corporate law is pivotal to preventing legal malpractice issues. It facilitates:

  • Open and candid communication between the lawyer and the client
  • Engendering trust and enabling effective representation
  • The attorney-client privilege safeguards confidential communications between the lawyer and the client, motivating clients to disclose all pertinent information without apprehension of it being revealed to others

Common legal malpractice issues that may arise from a lack of strong attorney-client relationships in corporate law include:

  • Poor communication
  • Inadequate legal representation
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Sexual relationships between attorney and client
  • Billing and fee disputes

By fostering a strong attorney-client relationship, Hilliard Law ensures that clients receive the highest level of professional care and representation, minimizing the risk of legal malpractice and promoting a positive outcome for all parties involved.

Understanding Statute of Limitations in Texas Legal Malpractice Cases

In Texas, there is a two-year limit for filing a legal malpractice suit. The client must be aware of the malpractice for this period to begin. However, until that time this period is not activated. The statute of limitations is delayed if malpractice occurs during representation. The delay continues until the lawsuit and all appeals have been exhausted. Hilliard Law leads clients through the statute of limitations in Texas legal malpractice cases, guaranteeing prompt action and safeguarding their rights.

It is essential to file a legal malpractice case within the designated time frame to protect your rights. If the statute of limitations passes before filing, any claims against the lawyer may be rendered unassertable. Hilliard Law provides experienced guidance and support for clients navigating the statute of limitations in Texas legal malpractice cases, helping them understand the process and ensuring their claims are filed promptly and effectively.

Ethical Considerations and Disciplinary Actions in Corporate Law Practice

Adhering to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, avoiding conflicts of interest, providing competent and diligent representation, maintaining client confidentiality, avoiding the unauthorized practice of law, and upholding the duty of loyalty to clients are some of the common ethical considerations in corporate law practice in Texas. Hilliard Law is committed to addressing ethical considerations and disciplinary actions in corporate law practice, maintaining a high standard of professionalism, and ensuring client protection.

In Texas, disciplinary actions taken against corporate lawyers may include:

  • Suspensions
  • Public reprimands
  • Disbarment

Hilliard Law acts as ethics counsel for the firm, prioritizing client protection while enabling clients to address conflicts of interest and other ethical concerns. Our dedication to upholding the highest standards of legal ethics ensures that our clients receive the highest quality of representation in their corporate legal matters.

Corporate Legal Malpractice Litigation: From Filing to Trial

Corporate legal malpractice litigation can be a complex and costly process, involving multiple stages from filing the initial claim to navigating trial proceedings. Hilliard Law supports clients in corporate legal malpractice litigation, offering guidance throughout the entire process.

The filing process for corporate legal malpractice lawsuits in Texas generally involves several steps, such as:

  1. Consulting with another attorney to evaluate the merits of the case
  2. Drafting the complaint
  3. Filing the complaint with the appropriate court
  4. Serving the complaint and summons on the defendant attorney

Once the lawsuit is filed, both parties engage in the discovery process, exchanging relevant documents and information to build their respective cases. Hilliard Law ensures that clients are well-prepared and informed throughout the filing process, ultimately working towards a successful outcome in their legal malpractice case.

Proving corporate legal malpractice involves demonstrating that an attorney or law firm representing a corporation breached their duty of care, and that this breach resulted in harm or damages to the corporation. Legal malpractice cases can be complex and challenging, but here are some general steps you might consider:

  • Establishing Attorney-Client Relationship: Confirm and establish that there was an attorney-client relationship between the corporation and the attorney or law firm. This is crucial because legal malpractice claims generally require the existence of such a relationship.
  • Breach of Duty: Demonstrate that the attorney or law firm breached their duty of care. This breach could involve errors in legal strategy, failure to meet deadlines, inadequate legal research, or other forms of negligence. Show that the attorney’s conduct fell below the standard of care expected of a reasonable attorney in similar circumstances.
  • Causation: Establish a direct link between the attorney’s breach of duty and the harm suffered by the corporation. It’s not enough to show that the attorney made a mistake; you must prove that this mistake directly caused harm.
  • Damages: Prove that the corporation suffered actual damages as a result of the attorney’s actions or negligence. Damages could include financial losses, loss of opportunity, or other quantifiable harm.
  • Documentary Evidence: Gather and present relevant documents, such as contracts, emails, legal opinions, and any other written communications that can help establish the attorney’s negligence and its consequences.
  • Expert Testimony: Consider obtaining expert testimony from other legal professionals who can attest to the standard of care in similar situations and opine on whether the attorney’s actions constituted malpractice.

Hilliard Law’s experienced team of attorneys skillfully employs these strategies and more to provide an effective defense against legal malpractice allegations, protecting our clients’ interests and working tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome.

The Financial Implications of Legal Malpractice for Corporations

A group of attorneys surrounded at a table speaking with each other.

Legal malpractice can have significant financial implications for corporations, including:

  • Settlement costs
  • Legal fees for defending the claim
  • Potential damage to the corporation’s reputation
  • Possible loss of business or clients

Due to the complex nature of legal malpractice cases and their connection to other lawsuits, damages are typically limited to those with a financial value, such as property, while emotional damages like pain and suffering cannot be recovered.

At Hilliard Law, our team is committed to pursuing justice for clients affected by legal malpractice, ensuring that negligent attorneys are held accountable for their actions and that our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Legal Malpractice Appeals: Navigating the Higher Courts

Navigating legal malpractice appeals in higher courts can be a challenging process, requiring experienced legal representation to ensure a favorable outcome for clients. Hilliard Law is aptly equipped to manage legal malpractice appeals, offering comprehensive guidance throughout the proceedings.

The procedure for legal malpractice appeals in Texas involves:

  1. Appealing the trial court’s decision to the higher courts, such as the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court of Texas.
  2. The higher court will then examine the case to determine if any errors were made in the lower court’s ruling.
  3. The higher court may potentially reverse or adjust the decision if mistakes are identified.

Hilliard Law’s experienced team of attorneys is dedicated to guiding clients through the complex legal malpractice appeals process, working diligently to achieve a successful outcome for each case.

When Lawyers Sue Lawyers: Our Experience in Representing Corporate Legal Malpractice Claims

Our experienced team holds negligent attorneys accountable for their actions and seeks justice for our clients. We have a proven track record of successfully resolving complex cases involving:

  • Negligence
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Conflict of interest
  • Inadequate communication
  • Incompetence

Our commitment to seeking justice for clients harmed by company negligence or recklessness, combined with our dedication to advocating for the rights of those without power and a voice, has earned Hilliard Law a national and international reputation for taking on large, powerful, and wealthy companies. With our experience in class action lawsuits and legal malpractice cases, you can trust Hilliard Law to provide the highest level of professional care and representation in your corporate legal malpractice claim.

If you or your business have suffered due to the negligence of your legal counsel, we can help, offering knowledgeable advice and services in the following areas:

  • Business Transaction Advice
  • Drafting Business Transaction Documents
  • Drafting Real Estate Documents
  • Tax Advice
  • Tax Filings
  • Regulatory Advice
  • Regulatory Filings

Contact Our Corporate Legal Malpractice Attorneys Today

Hilliard Law is a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of corporate legal malpractice, offering guidance and support from the initial filing of a claim to the final resolution of the case. With our extensive experience and commitment to pursuing justice for our clients, we ensure that negligent attorneys are held accountable and that your corporation’s interests are protected. Let Hilliard Law be your advocate in the challenging world of corporate legal malpractice.

At Hilliard Law, our experienced attorneys have years of experience going head-to-head with law firms that have failed to meet their ethical and professional obligations to clients. 

Your attorneys have an ethical and professional obligation to follow established standards of conduct. If your business has suffered due to the negligence of your legal counsel, contact us today or call us at 361-203-4394. Our team has more than a decade of experience in handling legal malpractice cases, and we will be diligent in developing a strategic plan on your behalf.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you sue for legal malpractice in Texas?

Yes, you can sue for legal malpractice in Texas by proving the elements of duty owed, breach, proximate causation of injury, and damages.

Is legal malpractice insurance required in Texas?

In Texas, legal malpractice insurance is not a requirement by the state, though some clients may only hire attorneys who carry such policies. Therefore, while lawyers in Texas are not mandated to have legal malpractice insurance, it can be beneficial for their business.

What constitutes legal malpractice in corporate law?

Legal malpractice in corporate law is defined as failing to provide services with the necessary care, skill, and diligence expected of attorneys in similar conditions and circumstances.

What is the statute of limitations for legal malpractice cases in Texas?

In Texas, legal malpractice cases must be filed within two years of the client becoming aware of the malpractice.

How Can We Help? Contact Us for a Free Consultation

It’s our mission to hold the powerful accountable for their wrongdoing. Reach out to our team immediately regarding your case to schedule a free attorney consultation today.

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