San Diego Legal Malpractice Lawyer

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San Diego Legal Malpractice Attorney

Trusted San Diego Legal Malpractice Lawyer

As attorneys, we take an oath to provide legal services that are held to a certain level of standards, ethics, and morals. Sometimes, however, an attorney fails to meet the obligations of duty or is accused of not meeting those obligations. Either way, a San Diego legal malpractice lawyer can help defend your legal practice and your reputation.

A Competent San Diego Legal Malpractice Lawyer

Century Law Group, LLP, is a San Diego law firm that focuses on professional license defense, including legal malpractice. We provide elite counsel and litigation to a broad range of professionally licensed clients. Our impressive success record and level of experience give us the tools and skills necessary to take on complex legal malpractice cases.

What Is Legal Malpractice?

Legal malpractice is the term typically used to describe cases where an attorney fails to practice the duty of skill and diligence owed to their clients. When a lawyer breaches their duty, and their client suffers damages, California defines this as legal malpractice.

If a lawyer commits malpractice, there can be consequences that affect several parties. Some common incidents of legal malpractice are described below:

When an attorney misses important filing or legal deadlines
When an attorney gives the wrong legal advice or their advice involves a misapplication of legal principles
When an attorney withholds conflicts of interest
When an attorney mishandles client funds

All these accusations can have serious repercussions that affect your career for years to come.

How Legal Malpractice Is Proven

In order for an accusation of legal malpractice to be valid, certain points must be made and proven. First, there must be an established attorney-client relationship. There must be proof that this standard of care was breached by the attorney. Third, there must be causation, and fourth, there must be proof of measurable harm inflicted on the client due to the breach of duty.

When to Hire a Legal Malpractice Lawyer

A lawyer who is accused of legal malpractice can benefit significantly from hiring an outside attorney to represent them. This is helpful when another attorney is more experienced with legal malpractice cases. It can also result in a better outcome when an attorney is an objective third party who has no vested interest in the case, as opposed to self-representation.

There are approximately 200,000 actively licensed California attorneys. In 2024, the State Bar of California filed around 100 disciplinary charges against attorneys. They recommended disbarment for about 70 licensed lawyers and suspension for an additional 120. The ratio of disciplinary actions against licensed attorneys to the total number of practicing attorneys is fairly low. However, it is a large enough problem to cause concern.

How a San Diego Legal Malpractice Lawyer Can Help in a Case of Legal Malpractice

When a lawyer is in danger of losing their legal license to practice law, a San Diego legal malpractice attorney can help in the following ways:

Evaluation of the claim. Most legal malpractice clients hire a lawyer to assess the claims and evaluate whether the case meets the requirements of illegal malpractice, including duty, breach of duty, causation, and harm.
Determination of applicable timelines. The statute of limitations for filing legal malpractice claims ranges between one year and four years. A well-versed San Diego legal malpractice attorney can advise you on whether a complaint is within the limits set forth by California law.
Gathering evidence. Collecting correspondence, billing invoices, and gathering testimonies are often key in legal malpractice cases.
Filing suit. Responding to the formal complaint, with care to serve all involved parties, is an essential part of being proactive in these cases.
Conducting a ‘trial within a trial.’ This involves predicting how a case might have had a different outcome if the legal representation had been administered differently.
Negotiating legal malpractice penalties. Just like in other malpractice cases, a skilled attorney can negotiate minimized repercussions or charges in the event that legal malpractice is found to have occurred.

Why Choose Us?

We know firsthand what a busy legal community San Diego has. It has grown to meet the needs of the vibrant downtown real estate industry, the popular beaches of Pacific Beach on Pacific Beach Drive and La Jolla Cove on Coast Boulevard, and a melting pot of cultures that’s driven by the businesses and residents that sustain the city.

Century Law Group, LLP, is familiar with the San Diego judicial system and the various legal communities of the surrounding areas. We are well-equipped to take on your legal malpractice case.

Best San Diego Legal Malpractice Attorney

FAQs

Q: How Is Legal Malpractice Proven in California?

A: To prove medical malpractice in California, the attorney must have a duty to provide a level of service to the client. Then, there must be a proven breach of that duty. Causation must also be found to prove that the breach caused harm and that there were verifiable damages due to the breach of duty.

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for Legal Malpractice?

A: The cost of a lawyer for legal malpractice varies significantly from case to case. Attorney fees can be hourly or a flat rate, which can impact the overall cost. Expenses can fall within a range, depending on court filing fees, the cost of professional witnesses, the complexity of the case, and the duration of the case.

Q: What Are the Duties of an Attorney in California?

A: The full duties of an attorney are stated in the California State Bar Act under Statute § 6068. Some of those duties are defined as upholding the Constitution of the US and of California, respecting the courts and officers, counseling only when legal or just unless defending someone charged with a public offense, employing confidential truths, and complying with investigations.

Q: What Is the Leading Cause of Legal Malpractice Claims?

A: The leading cause of legal malpractice claims is professional negligence. This involves an attorney failing to meet the expected standard of care. It is reflected in various acts, such as failing to adhere to essential case deadlines, failing to investigate a case properly, failing to provide adequate legal advice, or failing to properly prepare for court, among other instances.

A Qualified San Diego Legal Malpractice Law Firm

Century Law Group, LLP, has extensive experience in professional malpractice legal cases, including legal malpractice. We are confident we have the knowledge and resources necessary to represent your case. Contact our office to discuss our services as they pertain to your legal needs.

Testimonials

- This was more than business

“I want to thank you personally and profusely for ending my State Bar inquiry. To me it was an existential threat. It was troublesome beyond your patience to listen to me complain. I can best express the relief I felt when you told me it was over. This was more than business, it was deeply […]

- I highly recommend Century Law Group, because of them I won my case

“I honestly appreciate Century Law Group. They have helped me throughout my process. They have kept me informed and put me at much ease throughout my situation. I highly recommend Century Law Group, and because of them I won my case. Rizza especially was wonderful. I wouldn’t know what I would’ve done without her and […]

- Your support has been a blessing to me

“Thank you for your help this year. Your faith and support have been a blessing to me.”

- You did excellent in court

“Thank you! Just to let you know that you did excellent in the court, especially at the end. I can say you did more than just your job. Sorry I didn’t tell you before but I was nervous and I had many other emotions going on at the same time 🙂 Thanks again and blessings […]

- You rock! Thank you!

“… You helped my dream come true! Thank you so much for prepping me and thank you for showing me that my situation wasn’t all that bad. I really was in the slumps. After meeting with you I felt confident and proud of how far I have come. You rock! Thank you again!”

- The pressure was taken off our shoulders

“My husband and I retained [CLG] regarding a business partnership dissolution. Our situation was extremely stressful and multifaceted. Neither my husband, nor myself had any expertise in this area. We initially had a consult with them, in addition to 2 other attorneys, so as to settle on the right fit. While all 3 attorneys we […]

- Extremely helpful in resolving my matter

“Rizza and the team at Century Law Group were extremely helpful in resolving my matter before the Department of Insurance. I highly recommend them to anyone requiring assistance in obtaining or retaining their insurance license” – Sheik S.

- Straight forward, honest, and accurate

“The team at Century Law Group demonstrated skill, professionalism, and were always extremely responsive. They were straight forward, honest, and accurate in providing insight and advice. I recommend CLG to anyone who needs legal guidance.” – Tim R.

- Their experience was very apparent

“CLG was fantastic. They were very knowledgeable about the matter they handled for me and their experience was very apparent. Very glad I selected them.” – Amit P.

- Thank you for your dedication

“Thanks for your fine work and dedication to your profession.”

- I am so thankful

“Marisol successfully defended me. I am so thankful to have retained this firm to assist me during this very stressful event. I strongly recommend that you hire this firm should you have a complaint lodged against your firm.” – Judy B.

- The results speak for themselves

“Ed and his team provided me with excellent reputation during one of the worst times of my life. Not only was I kept fully informed of the progress of my case, thanks to their legal knowledge and research skills they were able to resolve my case with a complete dismissal. The burden that lifted from […]

- After much stress and worry, I can finally feel at ease.

“I am very impressed with Rizza. She explained the process very thoroughly, and made me feel very confident about my situation! The rate was very reasonable for the services their firm offers. After much stress and worry, I can finally feel at ease … I am so glad I found these guys.” – Joe J.

- I felt entirely assured

“… I got that dreaded letter right before Christmas, it seemed as though my world fell apart. I immediately searched for an attorney online and came across Marisol Ocampo. I left a message, not expecting to hear back for a bit, but to my surprise I received a call from Marisol herself, on the same […]

- I refer you

“I refer you every opportunity I get …”

- Prompt, professional, reliable

“I would unequivocally endorse this team. They are prompt, professional, and reliable. They helped me obtain a very favorable outcome. [They] were very helpful and helped me reach very favorable outcomes … Thank you Century Law Group!!” – Benjamin S.

- YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

“I cannot thank you enough. YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! We had a record day for a Friday yesterday, even with all the turmoil. Could not have done it without you. Like it or not, You are now family!”

- I knew CLG was the right choice

“After consulting with a handful of other firms, I knew CLG was the right choice. My matter is resolved now and I have no regrets. I am especially grateful for the peace of mind I had throughout the entire process. Once I retained their office, I knew things were being taken care of and I […]

- Steady counsel in a nerve-wracking time

“Century Law Group not only helped me achieve a very favorable outcome, but [they] provided steady counsel in a nerve-wracking time. Strongly recommend” – Athul A.

- I would unequivocally endorse this team

“I would unequivocally endorse this team. They are prompt, professional, and reliable. They helped me obtain a very favorable outcome. I had TWO matters before the BAR and Mr. Lear and his team were very helpful and helped me reach very favorable outcomes in both matters with no disciplinary action taken by the BAR. Thank […]