08 September

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What To Do When Your Lawyer Stops Communicating With You

Professional woman looking at her phone angrily

The attorney-client relationship is built on trust, transparency, and consistent communication. When your lawyer suddenly goes silent, ignoring your calls and emails, this communication breakdown isn't just frustrating — it can jeopardize your case and potentially violate your rights as a client. Here’s what to do when your lawyer stops communicating with you: First, document all attempts to contact your attorney and maintain records of the communication breakdown. Send written requests for updates via email or letter to the lawyer and his/her assistant, and if that doesn’t get a response, then via certified mail. If the silence continues, it may constitute...

07 August

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Common Lawyer Conflict of Interest Examples

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Two people talking in a dark room in silhouette. Secret meeting that may constitute a conflict of interest.

Legal professionals must follow strict ethical rules to avoid situations where personal interests or other client relationships compromise their ability to provide zealous representation. Conflicts can bring serious consequences, including malpractice claims and disciplinary actions that may require lawyers who sue lawyers to resolve. Common examples of legal conflict of interest include: Representing both parties in a divorce or business dispute where the interests of the clients are directly adverse to each other Taking on a new client whose case involves suing a current or former client without proper consent and conflict waivers Having a personal financial interest in the outcome...

05 August

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7 Early Signs of Malpractice by a Lawyer

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Businessman sitting on the steps looking at his phone angrily

Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney’s representation falls below the legal standard expected of them and it results in harm or damages to their client. By being able to recognize the signs of malpractice early on, you may be able to take appropriate action before irreparable damage occurs, potentially protecting your interests and preserving your legal rights. Here are eight warning signs of malpractice by a lawyer: Missed deadlines Lack of communication Conflicts of interest Inadequate case preparation Billing irregularities Failure to follow client instructions Abandoning the case If you suspect your attorney has committed malpractice, contact Houston legal malpractice attorney Ross...

21 July

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How Mediation Works in Legal Malpractice Cases in Texas

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Legal malpractice mediator going over an agreement with a client

When legal malpractice occurs in Texas, many assume a lawsuit is the only path forward. But mediation in legal malpractice cases in Texas often provides a faster, more cost-effective way to resolve disputes. Mediation, with the help of an experienced legal malpractice mediator, encourages collaboration and often leads to mutually acceptable outcomes without the stress of and expense trial. Here's how the mediation process typically works: Initial consultation and preparation. Both parties meet with their attorneys to review the case details, gather relevant documentation, and prepare their positions for mediation. Mediator selection. The parties agree on a neutral third-party mediator, preferably...

14 June

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What to Do if Your Attorney Steals Your Settlement

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Attorney handing their client a settlement check.

Few situations feel more devastating than discovering your attorney may have stolen money from your settlement. You placed your trust in a professional who should have protected your interests, only to have that trust taken advantage of for their own financial gain. If you find yourself in this nightmare scenario, you need a Houston legal malpractice attorney to help you stop the bleeding and find justice. Settlement theft by attorneys represents one of the most serious forms of legal malpractice, involving not just professional negligence but also breach of fiduciary duty, and possibly even criminal conduct. When lawyers misappropriate client funds,...

21 April

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Four Elements of Legal Malpractice in Texas

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Attorneys discussing legal malpractice issues in Texas

When an attorney fails to provide competent representation, it can wreak havoc on the lives of clients. You may be stuck facing your original legal issue as well as the harm caused by your lawyer's negligence. Fortunately, you have rights as a client to seek recourse when your attorney's professional performance falls short of reasonable standards. To successfully pursue a legal malpractice claim, the following key elements of legal malpractice in Texas must be established: An attorney-client relationship existed, creating a duty of care; The attorney breached this duty through negligence or misconduct; The breach proximately caused harm to the client; ...

04 February

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How To Sue a Lawyer for Malpractice

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice, We Sue Lawyers

Hiring a lawyer means entering into a relationship of trust; you trust them to advocate for your best interests, solve complex issues, and act ethically throughout the process. But what happens when your attorney’s negligence or misconduct derails your case or causes you financial harm? Luckily, the attorney-client relationship is not just a relationship of trust but one protected by professional and fiduciary standards — which means if your lawyer commits malpractice, you can sue them. For those wondering how to sue a lawyer, we’re here to tell you that while the process can be incredibly complicated, you can get justice....

24 June

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What Do I Do If My Lawyer Lost My Case?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Frustrated clients argue with an attorney who lost their case.

My lawyer lost my case. What can I do next? Do I have to just give up and move on, or can I appeal the decision or get another lawyer? You may be asking yourself these questions if you’ve just wrapped up a legal matter and the results were not quite what you hoped. Sometimes good attorneys lose tough cases, and there is nothing that can be done — but sometimes attorneys don’t perform their duties adequately, make mistakes, and screw up cases that are otherwise winnable. If the latter was the case for you, you may still have a path...

22 April

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What is Considered Malpractice for an Attorney?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

What is Considered Malpractice for an Attorney?

If you recently got out of a bad situation with an attorney or wrapped up a case with less-than-stellar results, you may be wondering what is considered an innocent mistake for an attorney and what is considered malpractice. Although not every mistake an attorney makes is considered malpractice, there are a lot of ways in which an attorney can commit malpractice. At Sears Crawford, our job is to fight for our clients who have been wronged by their previous attorneys and get them what they deserve. We know the ins and outs of legal malpractice and are here to discuss what is...

05 April

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What is Breach of Contract in Legal Malpractice?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

What is a breach of contract? It’s a question that our legal malpractice clients often ask. When you enter into an attorney-client relationship, you typically (but not always) sign a contract that outlines the agreements and nature of the relationship. This contract can either be verbal or written. In the simplest terms, a breach of contract occurs when your attorney does not honor the specific terms of this agreement. At Sears Crawford, we sue lawyers that have failed to meet their contractual obligations to their clients. As lawyers who sue lawyers, we take the attorney-client relationship and our responsibility to our clients...

Author: Sears Crawford