22 April

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7 Tips for Selecting the Best Legal Malpractice Attorney in Texas

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...

14 April

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What To Do If Your Lawyer Is Not Helping You

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Frustrated man on the phone, unable to get in contact with his lawyer

Every year, thousands of Texans lose winnable cases — not because the law wasn't on their side, but because their attorney simply stopped showing up for them. Whether it's ignored calls, missed deadlines, or a settlement offer you never agreed to, a lawyer who isn't doing their job isn't just frustrating. It could cost you everything. If you've found yourself wondering what to do if your lawyer is not helping you, you're not alone, and you're not without options. Before you do anything else, contact your attorney (in writing, email is fine), asking them to timely and properly update you and...

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...

08 March

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What Qualifies as Attorney Professional Misconduct in Texas?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Man on the phone, finding out his attorney is dishonest

Not every bad outcome in a legal case means your attorney did something wrong. But there is a clear difference between a disappointing result and an attorney who failed to meet the basic standards of their profession — and that difference matters. Attorney professional misconduct can take many forms, including: Breach of fiduciary duty Failure to communicate with a client Conflicts of interest Misappropriation of client funds Negligent legal representation Fraud or dishonest conduct Abandonment of a case If any of these situations sound familiar, you don't have to navigate what comes next on your own. Ross Sears II has spent over...

08 February

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When Can I Sue My Lawyer?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

You hire a lawyer expecting skilled representation, straightforward advice, and honest advocacy for your interests. But what happens when your attorney fails to meet these basic professional standards? When their mistakes, negligence, or misconduct cause you real harm? “Can I sue my lawyer?” Yes, you can sue your lawyer, and you should. Not every disagreement or unfavorable outcome means your attorney crossed the line, but certain failures clearly constitute grounds for a lawsuit. Here’s are some examples of when you can sue your lawyer: Your attorney missed critical deadlines or let the statute of limitations expire on your case. You suffered financial...

12 January

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The Case Within a Case in Attorney Malpractice Lawsuits

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Legal team discussing how to win an attorney malpractice lawsuit

When an attorney's negligence or misdeeds cost you a case, the path to justice is more complex than a typical lawsuit. In attorney malpractice lawsuits, you face a unique legal challenge known as the "case within a case." This doctrine requires you to prove two essential elements: That your attorney's conduct fell below professional standards; and That you would have won or achieved a more favorable outcome in your original case had it been handled properly. Essentially, you must, through expert testimony, relitigate your underlying case to demonstrate the damages caused by your attorney's malpractice — a high standard that requires incredibly...

15 December

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5 Examples of Legal Malpractice in Texas

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Gavel on a bench in front of a legal statue

Not every bad outcome in a case equals legal malpractice, but there is a clear line between a disappointing result and an attorney's failure to meet basic professional standards. When your attorney fails to meet the standards of their profession it’s not just frustrating — it can be grounds for a legal malpractice claim. Simply put, legal malpractice occurs when an attorney's negligence or misconduct causes harm to their client. While most Texas lawyers serve their clients diligently and ethically, malpractice does happen — and when it does, you have the right to seek accountability. In this article, we'll walk through five...

09 December

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8 Ways Attorneys Hide Overbilling (and How to Spot Them)

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Man looking at a detailed attorney invoice

While the majority of lawyers bill honestly and ethically, some engage in practices that inflate their fees at your expense. These tactics can be subtle, buried in pages of billing statements, or disguised as standard procedures. The result is the same: you pay far more than you should for legal services. Understanding how unscrupulous attorneys hide overbilling is the first step in protecting yourself. Here are the most common methods they use: Block billing Vague descriptions Task inflation Excessive hours Duplicate billing Billing for overhead Incremental rounding Recycled work product If you suspect you've been overbilled by your attorney, you don't have...

05 December

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What is a Board-Certified Lawyer?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

Hire a Board Certified Lawyer for Your Legal Malpractice Case 1

When you need to hire a lawyer, choosing the right one can be the difference between a great outcome and a possible mistake. Not all lawyers possess the same level of expertise, training, or commitment to their practice areas, which is why finding a board-certified lawyer can give you added confidence that your case is in capable hands. Not every good/competent attorney is Board Certified. In fact, only about 7% of attorneys in the State of Texas are Board Certified. But if you are searching for attorneys you don’t know online, then we recommend you choose someone who is Board Certified....

03 December

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What Is an “Ambulance Chaser” under Texas Law?

Posted by Sears Crawford

in Legal Malpractice

You're barely out of the hospital, still processing the shock of your accident, when your phone rings. A voice on the other end promises to fight for your rights and maximize your compensation — but you never contacted them. How did they even get your number? You've just encountered what Texas law considers one of the most serious violations of legal ethics: an ambulance chaser, also known as Barratry, and it is a Felony. Under Texas law, "ambulance chasing" or Barratry refers to the prohibited practice of improperly soliciting accident victims or their families for legal representation. State rules establish waiting...