08 July

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How To Fire a Lawyer in Texas

The attorney-client relationship depends on trust, communication, and results. When that foundation breaks down, Texas law gives you the right to make a change. Whether your attorney has gone silent, mishandled your case, or just isn't the right fit anymore, you don't have to stay stuck. Knowing how to fire a lawyer the right way helps to protect your case and your legal rights. Here's how to make the switch: Review your engagement agreement It’s better to find new counsel before you terminate Notify your attorney in writing Request your case file Settle any outstanding fees Confirm the transition with your...

22 April

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7 Tips for Selecting the Best Legal Malpractice Attorney in Texas

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

There is a reason legal malpractice cases are among the hardest to win without the right representation. You are not just proving what went wrong. You are proving what should have happened and what it cost you. Finding the best legal malpractice attorney in Texas for your situation means looking beyond a basic Google search. Here is what actually matters: Board certification in personal injury law (which includes legal malpractice) Specific and extensive legal malpractice experience A working knowledge of the case-within-a-case doctrine A proven track record against other attorneys The willingness to take your case to trial A successful track...

24 March

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8 Questions to Ask Your Legal Malpractice Attorney in Texas

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Hiring a legal malpractice attorney in Texas, shaking their hand

Your lawyer was supposed to fight for you — and they failed. Now you're left dealing with the fallout of their negligence while facing the uncomfortable reality that the only way to get justice is to go through the legal system again, this time with a lawyer who will actually do their job. Finding a legal malpractice attorney in Texas isn't easy, but asking the right questions before you hire one makes all the difference. Sears Crawford was built by lawyers that sue lawyers for malpractice in Texas, and after more than 30 years of doing exactly that, we know what...

11 July

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What to Do if Your Lawyer Doesn’t Have Legal Malpractice Insurance

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Malpractice Insurance

Potential legal malpractice client checking to see if a Houston lawyer has legal malpractice insurance

When you hire a lawyer, one of the first things you should ask is, "Do you carry legal malpractice insurance?" If the answer is "no," you should run away from their office as quickly as you can. Legal malpractice coverage is essential for any lawyer who cares about their clients — why? Because if an attorney makes a mistake and it results in harm to their client, and they don’t carry insurance, it potentially leaves their client out in the cold. Any lawyer who chooses not to carry malpractice insurance is almost certainly a terrible lawyer, and almost certainly does not...

03 February

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Most Common Types of Legal Malpractice in Texas

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Most Common Types of Legal Malpractice in Texas

As lawyers who sue lawyers for malpractice in Houston, we’ve seen it all. Our co-founder and Texas legal malpractice attorney, Ross Sears, has been holding lawyers accountable for their actions for more than 30 years, for everything you can imagine — countless types of legal malpractice, and professional negligence. Some of the more common types of legal malpractice we see at Sears Crawford include the following: Failure to know or apply the law Conflicts of interest Missed deadlines Overbilling or misuse of client funds Failure to obtain client consent (usually for a settlement) Attorney fraud or self-dealing Although these are the...

07 January

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How to Find a Lawyer to Sue Another Lawyer

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice, We Sue Lawyers

Man shakes hands with malpractice lawyer over signed contract.

An attorney failing to provide adequate representation can have incredibly far-reaching consequences for their clients. If your previous lawyer committed malpractice, and you’ve decided to sue them for it, congratulations! You’ve already done the most difficult part. While hiring another lawyer to fix the mistakes of your previous one might be the last thing you want to do, it is a necessary step in helping yourself get justice and accountability. Once you’ve decided you want to sue your lawyer, figuring out how to find a lawyer to sue another lawyer is the easy part. Ross Sears has been suing lawyers in Texas...

03 January

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Suing for Breach of Fiduciary Duty: What You Need to Know

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice, We Sue Lawyers

Can I Sue My Lawyer for Breach of Fiduciary Duty?

Breaches of fiduciary duty occur when a professional in a position of trust with a fiduciary duty, like an attorney, fails to act in the best interests of their clients — and yes, you can sue them for it. After your attorney has violated your trust we understand that hiring another lawyer may be the last thing you want to think about, but Sears Crawford has made our name on helping people in your exact situation. Over the years, we’ve helped many clients with suing for breach of fiduciary duty, and we have the knowledge and experience to help you do...

10 November

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How Do You Prove Legal Malpractice?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Group of people pour over legal documents.

Legal malpractice occurs when your attorney’s actions, or inactions, fall below the standard of care and it causes you harm — but how do you prove legal malpractice and successfully sue your lawyer? Proving legal malpractice is almost always complicated, and having an attorney with experience suing lawyers can make all the difference. The four elements that your legal malpractice attorney must prove to sue your previous lawyer are: Duty of care Breach of that duty Proximate cause Damages If your attorney can prove these four things, then you have a case against your previous lawyer and have a chance at getting...

30 August

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How to Get Your Money Back from a Lawyer

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

clients demanding a refund from their attorney

If you've had a negative experience with a lawyer and believe you're entitled to get your money back, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves displeased with their lawyer’s services and wondering whether or not they can get their money back, and while it can be challenging, it’s not impossible. This article will guide you through how to get your money back from a lawyer, including how retainer fees work, how to recognize legal malpractice, and what to do if your lawyer damages your case. With more than 30 years of legal malpractice litigation experience under his belt, Super Lawyer Ross Sears...

29 July

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Can I Sue My Lawyer for Taking Too Long?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice, We Sue Lawyers

A client sitting by her phone, waiting for her lawyer to call her back.

When you hire an attorney, you expect them to handle your case diligently and promptly. However, if your lawyer takes an unreasonable amount of time to settle your case, it can lead to frustration, financial losses, and other negative consequences. If you find yourself asking, “Can I sue my lawyer for taking too long?”, the answer is yes, you can sue your lawyer for taking too long if their delay constitutes legal malpractice and caused you a financial harm. While the legal process can be inherently slow, excessive delays caused by an attorney's negligence or misconduct are unacceptable. If your lawyer...

Author: Sears Crawford