Here, from the subscription Chicago Daily News is a snippet in which a high ranking Illinois State Police official has sued the State Attorney General for a sloppy defense of a trooper, or so the short blurb implies. 

 "An Illinois state police colonel has filed a legal-malpractice lawsuit against the state attorney general and two of her assistants alleging that they failed to adequately represent the officer in a federal case. "

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Its a concept rarely seen or heard, and even more rarely invoked because of the county, not country where the law suit is brought.  Guess?  The law firm is defending itself in this legal malpractice case, and has a little too much time on its hands.

The Madison County Record, a newspaper which frequently features news about legal malpractice reports:

"The Illinois Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon unanimously affirmed St. Clair County Circuit Judge Lloyd Cueto’s decision to deny a motion to dismiss a legal malpractice case pursuant to the doctrine of forum non conveniens.

Rick Rosen and the Rosen Law Firm had argued to Cueto that St. Clair County was an inappropriate forum for Ivan Brant’s professional negligence and fraud claims arising from the defendants’ representation of the plaintiff.

Rosen and his law firm are both reside in St. Clair County.

Brant filed a six-count complaint against Rosen, the law firm, and a third defendant, Dwight Hardin, who is employed as a consultant by Rosen’s firm.

He alleged that he retained Rosen and the law firm to represent him in his Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) for damages against his employer, Union Pacific Railroad, for injuries he received during the course of his employment.

Brant alleged that both Rosen and Hardin told him that they were licensed, practicing attorneys, even though Hardin allegedly was not an attorney.

Brant alleged Rosen and Hardin negligently "instructed and counseled" him to settle his FELA case against the railroad for less than its fair value, failed to conduct an adequate investigation into the liability and damage evidence, and settled his case without filing suit or conducting any discovery and before he attained maximum medical improvement.

He also alleged that he received substantially less in settlement for his case than it was worth and, therefore, "suffered significant damages in the form of inappropriate compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wages, pain, suffering, disability and disfigurement."

In addition to the professional negligence claims, Brant also claimed that each defendant was guilty of fraud because Rosen, individually and through the law firm and Hardin made several untrue statements.

According to Brant, he was told that he was required to accept Union Pacific’s settlement offer of $150,000 or be forced to accept $20,000 and relocate to Utah as a security guard. "

Closely akin to legal malpractice, here an Iowa County defends its sheriff’s negligence in process service.  In New York, the attorney may be held responsible for the process server’s negligence.  Here the county is defendant:

"Douglas County might have to pay a hefty price for an employee’s failure to deliver.

The county finds itself as the defendant in a medical malpractice lawsuit because, contrary to a civil process server’s contention, the original defendant was never served papers.

Eugenia Kudym of Omaha is asking for $450,000 in damages — the amount her attorney said she could have recovered from her physician after she suffered complications from gastric bypass surgery in 2003.

A judge last year ruled that a server from the sheriff’s department did not properly serve Kudym’s physician. Meanwhile, the statute of limitations for malpractice lapsed, eliminating the physician from possibly having to pay damages. "

For the county to be held liable, Blakeman must prove malpractice occurred and that the county’s error cost Kudym the opportunity to seek damages from the physician.

"The more difficult side is proving the medical malpractice claim," Blakeman said Monday. "The fact the judge has decided (the county) didn’t successfully serve the doctor sits in our favor. In essence, it’s been determined that the county didn’t perform."

It’s not strictly legal malpractice, but rather use of the term as a metaphor.  Federal Magistrate Judge alleges its "almost" legal malpractice when a Federal prosecutor acts to leverage his case. 

"Charges against the lead suspect in a major federal drug case should be dismissed because of trial delays caused by prosecutors, a federal magistrate judge has recommended.

The recommendation, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office disputes, would have to be accepted by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Doherty before the case against George Celestine is dismissed.

Celestine, who could face up to life in prison if convicted, was indicted with three other men in what prosecutors allege was a drug ring they operated for 10 years moving cocaine from Houston to Lafayette.

The men were initially charged in 2001, and the case has stretched on for more than five years and spawned three mistrials.

The most recent was in June, when a judge questioned Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Clemons’ apparent non-compliance with an order to provide defense attorneys with a list of un-indicted coconspirators — people allegedly involved in the drug ring who were going to testify against Celestine.

Doherty had ordered Clemons to hand over a list of the names in 2003 but he did not comply until the morning of the third trial in June, according to the U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill’s report and recommendation for dismissal.

Hill wrote that the failure to hand over the names resulted in mistrials that have violated Celestine’s Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial.

Hill characterized Clemons’ actions as falling somewhere between “bad faith” and “legal negligence” and appeared to be an attempt to gain a tactical trial advantage at the expense of not following a court order. "

Attorneys performing work for which there can be no liability ?  Immunity from being sued ?  When and why would this be permitted ?

Law guardians, selected by a judge, assigned to a child, supposed to protect the kid’s rights often do a wonderful job.  However, the field of legal malpractice is devoted to the fringe group of poor performers.  Does this social policy of immunity held or hinder the social policy of protecting children?

This article from Kentucky thinks not:

"A recently released report on legal representation for foster children gave Kentucky a "D" for the representation it provides to abused and neglected children, according to officials from Kentucky Youth Advocates.

First Star, a national child advocacy organization based in Washington, issued the report, giving grades to states based on mandates for representation, training requirements, children’s involvement in proceedings and attorney immunity from malpractice.

Kentucky was one of six states to receive a "D" grade based on a 100-point index; 15 states received failing grades. Kentucky received a score of 60 out of 100. Neighboring states received a range of grades. Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri were given failing grades, Ohio received a C, Tennessee got a B, and West Virginia got an A.

The group made recommendations to the Kentucky legislature that included developing training for attorneys, requiring that children keep the same attorney if possible, and giving children the right to legal representation during the appeals process.

The First Star report also recommended that children’s attorneys have caseload and compensation levels that allow for "effective assistance of counsel."

"While Kentucky guarantees attorneys for children in its child welfare system, the issue of quality representation is simply not adequately addressed," said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. "At a broad level, we can do more to support the quality issue through proactive legislation in 2008 and a focused commitment from the legal profession. On a pragmatic basis, issues like increasing fees for court-appointed attorneys are imperative if we really want to tackle the quality issue."

Paul et al. v. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, et al., ___S.E.2d___, 2007 WL 474185 (Ga. App. 2007) .  Hinshaw report tells us:

"The Georgia Court of Appeals held that the plaintiffs’ proof of a malpractice claim based on alleged inadequate witness preparation could not prevail because the plaintiffs had not provided sufficient evidence that the outcome of the case giving rise to the malpractice claim would have been more favorable but for the alleged malpractice. With regard to a separate claim, however, the court held that the clients’ review prior to signing of on an allegedly negligently drafted corporate document did not give rise to a defense to a malpractice claim where, as here, the legal significance of the document was not sufficiently clear to the clients"

Malpractice is a professional’s failure to use minimally adequate levels of care, skill or diligence in the performance of the professional’s duties, causing harm to another. In New York, attorney malpractice is defined as a "deviation from good and accepted legal practice, where the client has been proximately damaged by that deviation, but for which, there would have been a different, better or more positive outcome."

The first element of a relationship between the client and the professional was previously discussed. The second element, deviation, is shown by evidence, not necessarily expert, which shows that the acts of the professional fell so below the good and accepted practice of law in New York, that a jury would be permitted to find that the acts below standard.

Expert testimony is necessary when the deviation is subtle; an example could be the failure to supply an affidavit of merits to restore a case marked off calendar, the failure to respond to a CPLR 3216 notice, or failures in response to a motion for summary judgment. Expert testimony is not always necessary however. None is needed to demonstrate the deviation in failing to file within the statute of limitations. Bad outcome do not necessarily equal a deviation. Furthermore, questions of judgment of strategic choice cannot serve as the basis of malpractice. An attorney is permitted the reasonable choice of strategy, if supported by acceptable reasoning. The strategic choice must be reasonable both objectively and subjectively. The difference between strategic choice and mistake are subtle, and create the most difficult cases.

The third element of proximate cause encompasses both the typical analysis that arises in all negligence litigation and the additional element of "but for." The plaintiff must demonstrate not only that the deviation was a substantial cause of the poor outcome, but must additionally show that "but for" the deviation there would have been a different, better or more positive outcome. An example of this potential difficulty arises in an automobile accident. No matter how many deviations are shown, it may be that the maximum insurance for the other driver limits the recovery. If that is true, it will be impossible to show that "but for" the deviation, more than the policy limit was available and could have been recovered from the defendant.

Divorce attorney sues for legal fees and applies a retainer which has a legal fee for collection provision.  In a rare instance, attorney loses all around:

"Reisman, Peirez & Reisman LLP v. Gazzara, 2823/02
Decided: March 30, 2007

"In this action plaintiff law firm seeks to collect unpaid attorneys fees for services performed for the defendant in a matrimonial action. According to the Complaint, plaintiff law firm provided legal services beginning August 9, 1999 and continuing through April, 2001. It further alleges that on or about April 30, 2001 plaintiff served upon defendant a Notice to Arbitrate package pursuant to the Rules of the Chief Administrator, 22 NYCRR §136.5, but defendant has never filed a request to arbitrate. Plaintiff contends that it is owed $30,538.20 plus expenses of $1,263.26 plus interest in outstanding legal fees.

In its Complaint plaintiff asserts four causes of action seeking the $30,538.20 plus interest and fees, under the theories of breach of contract, payment for services performed, account stated, and quantum meruit. In its Fifth cause of action it also seeks reasonable attorneys fees in having to prosecute this claim, as it claims it is expressly permitted pursuant to the retainer agreement between the parties.

Defendant Answer consists of general denials and five defenses, including failure to state a claim, breach of contract in failing to obtain the divorce, false billing, and negligent prosecution of the underlying matrimonial action.

Plaintiff claims that the general denials and claims contained in the defendant’s Answer do not raise a triable issue of fact with respect to defendant’s liability for the sums sought. Further, the firm claims that now that discovery and the depositions of the parties have been completed, there is no question of fact preventing summary judgment on its behalf.

Account Stated

The plaintiff’s Second cause of action seeks to recover on an account stated theory. Attorneys fees may be recovered on the basis on an account stated. (Bartning v. Bartning, 16 AD3d 249 [1st Dept, 2005]). Insofar as the rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts provide for the arbitration of fee disputes (22 NYCRR §136.5), they pose no obstacle to a plenary action where, as here, the Complaint alleges compliance with the requirement of that the client receive notice of the client’s arbitration rights and further alleges that there has been a failure upon the part of the client to request arbitration. (Idid., contrast Lewis & Merit v. Smith, 170 Misc2d 192 [Sup. Ct. Nas., 1996]).

The common law elements of a cause of action for an account stated are: the existence of a debtor-creditor relationship, a mutual examination of the claims of the respective parties, the striking of a balance, and an agreement, express or implied, that the party against whom the balance is struck will pay the debt. (Bank of New York v. Santarelli, 128 Misc2d 1003 [County. Ct., Greene, 1985]). The rationale for permitting a recovery on an account stated theory is that the parties have, by their conduct, evidenced an agreement upon the balance of an indebtedness. (Interman v. R. S. M. Electron Power, 37 NY2d 151, 153-154 (1975)). In Newburger-Morris Co. v. Talcott (219 N.Y. 505, 512 (1916) Judge Cardozo wrote;

"There is no doubt that an account stated may sometimes result from the retention of accounts current without objection (citations omitted). But the result does not always follow. It varies with the circumstances that surround the submission of the statements (citations omitted) and those circumstances include, of course the relation between the parties."

Among the circumstances to be considered is whether an objection has been made to the account within a reasonable time. (Interman v. R. S. M. Electron Power, supra at 154; see, Corr v. Hoffman, 256 N.Y. 254, 267 (1931)).

The plaintiff offers copies of what are represented to be monthly statements sent to defendant commencing Oct. 25, 1999 and continuing through April 25, 2001. During her pretrial deposition Defendant acknowledged receiving monthly invoices reflecting the work performed by plaintiff law firm. (Deposition of Nancy Gazzara, page 27). However, because defendant had given a deposit of $10,000 with the retainer, the first statement to show a balance due was that of Aug. 25. 2001. Monthly bills showing a balance due were sent each month thereafter through April of 2001. However, the deposition of Seymour J. Reisman on behalf of plaintiff gave rise to some doubt as to the accuracy of the proffered statements and whether they were the statements actually sent to defendant.

Defendant avers that after receiving the Jan. 25, 2001 invoice she telephone Lanny Greenberg, an associate with Reisman, Peirez & Reisman, and then met with her at the law office. Defendant claims that she was advised that, "monies for attorneys’ fees would be advanced and collected at the time of settlement." Defendant also asserts without a time frame that she complained about "excessive charges" to Ms. Greenberg who referred her to Mr. Reisman. Defendant claims that repeated efforts to see Mr. Reisman were unavailing. Defendant also makes a specific challenge to a $1,5000 item on the Mar. 25, 2001 statement identified as time spent drafting and revising a stipulation of settlement.

The court has been provided with a copy of a letter dated May 12, 2001, sent to a prior Justice upon the Plaintiff’s application to be relieved. In that letter, in addition to the contentions just discussed, defendant challenges an item on the April 25, 2001 statement for a meeting she had with plaintiff solely to discuss fees and billing for a second deposition she claims was unnecessary.

While it is uncontested that there was a retainer agreement and an attorney-client relationship in which plaintiff provided professional services, nevertheless there are material issues of fact which preclude the granting of summary judgment. There was no history of defendant paying statements on receipt. (See, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison v. Koons, 4 Misc3d 447 [Sup. Ct., New York County, 2004]; Milstein v. Montefiore Club, 47 AD2d 805 [4th Dept, 1975]). Nor is it claimed that Defendant made any partial payments. (See, Parker Chapin Flattau & Klimpl v. Daelen Corp., 59 AD2d 375 [1st Dept, 1977]). Whether, under the circumstances of this case, a delay of five months before challenging the statement of account was reasonable, is a question of fact. The excerpts of the defendant’s pretrial deposition which plaintiff cites may be admissions and may perhaps be used for impeachment purposes at trial, but they are insufficient to support a granting of summary judgment. (Knepka v. Tallman, 278 AD2d 811 [2d Dept, 2000]).

Moreover, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, Defendant raises an issue as to whether plaintiff is precluded from recovering any fee because of a failure to comply with the filing requirements of 22 NYCRR §1400.3. For present purposes it suffices to note, " . . . [E]ven an unpleaded defense may be invoked to defeat a summary judgment motion or serve as the basis of for an affirmative grant of such relief in the absence of surprise and prejudice, provided the opposing party has a full opportunity to respond (citations omitted)." (Sheils v. County of Fulton, 14 AD3d 919, 921 [3d Dept, 2005]).

Plaintiff’s Claim for Attorney’s Fees

Plaintiff’s Fifth cause of action seeks to recover reasonable costs and attorneys fees incurred in seeking to collect under the Retainer Agreement. Page 3 of the Retainer Agreement states; "Bills not paid within 30 days will accrue interest at the legal rate (presently nine [9 percent]), and you will be liable for reasonable attorneys’ fees for the collection of said sum." (Emphasis supplied). Absent a provision for a reciprocal allowance for attorneys’ fees to the client should he or she prevail, such a provision is unenforceable as lacking in mutuality and fundamentally unfair. (Ween & Associates v. Dow, 35 AD3d 58 [3d Dept, 2006]). A unilateral provision as in this retainer agreement has also been faulted because of its "distinct potential for silencing a client’s complaint about fees for fear of retaliation for the nonpayment of even unreasonable fees (citations omitted)." (id. at 63).

Filing Requirement of 22 NYCRR §1400.3

The Defendant contends that she is entitled to summary judgment dismissing all of plaintiff’s claims for recovery because of an alleged failure to comply with the requirement of 22 NYCRR §1400.3 that a copy of the retainer agreement be filed with the court. That rule requires in pertinent part; "Where substitution of counsel occurs after the filing of the net worth statement, a signed copy of the attorney’s retainer shall be filed with the court within 10 days of its execution. Here the retainer agreement bears a date of Aug. 9, 1999. At his deposition Seymour J. Reisman testified that he assumed that the retainer agreement was filed with the Court and that it was certainly filed with the motion for pendente lite relief that his firm made during the period it represented defendant.

While an attorney who does not comply with 22 NYCRR §1400.3 "is precluded from seeking fees from his or her client," a fee may nevertheless be recovered "where there is substantial compliance . . . ??." (Mulcahy v. Mulcahy, 285 AD2d 587, 588 [2d Dept, 2001]). Generally, the finding of a lack of substantial compliance has been based upon a complete, nearly complete or flagrant disregard for the applicable rules. (See, Sherman v. Sherman, 34 AD3d 670 [2d Dept, 2006]; Wegman v. Wegman, 8 AD3d 263 [2d Dept, 2004]; Mulcahy v. Mulcahy, supra). On the other hand, a technical violation which does not undermine the underlying policy of protecting the public from known abuses in the field of matrimonial law will not prevent a recovery. (Gross v. Gross, 36 AD3d 318 [2d Dept, 2006]). Here it has not been clearly established whether or when the retainer agreement was filed with the court.

Plaintiff argues that Defendant’s failure to plead such a defense constitutes a waiver any claim of noncompliance with applicable matrimonial rules. Because the matrimonial rules were promulgated to address abuses in the practice of matrimonial law, a failure to comply gives rise to a "preclusion" of the attorney from recovering a fee, rather than a defense. (Julien v. Machson, 245 AD2d 122 [1st Dept, 1997]). It would appear contrary to the policy underlying the rules to find a waiver particularly where the issue arises before trial and any prejudice may be avoided. Even defenses waived under CPLR 3211 (e) may be interposed in an amended answer absent surprise or prejudice resulting from the delay. (Nunez v. Mousouros, 21 AD3d 355, 256 [2d Dept, 2005]). And, as noted above, an unpleaded defense may defeat summary judgment or support reverse summary judgment absent genuine surprise or prejudice and provided there is a full opportunity to litigate the issue. (Sheils v. County of Fulton, 14 AD3d 919, 921 [3d Dept, 2005]).

The Facts surrounding the filing of the retainer agreement and the accuracy and issuance of statements of account to defendant are not sufficiently clear to permit a summary disposition. As to plaintiff’s First, Second and Fourth causes of action issues of fact including not only the question of substantial compliance with the matrimonial rules, but also as to the extent and value of the services provided require trial.

Both motions for summary judgment are denied except that Plaintiff’s Fifth cause of action seeking fees and disbursement pursuant to the Retainer Agreement in connection with its effort to collect for services rendered. Defendant’s motion for summary judgment  it is so ordered."