Practice Areas

Attorney Liability

Howard Rice’s Attorney Liability lawyers have a long history of defending attorneys in civil lawsuits and disciplinary proceedings. We have represented more than half of the 50 largest firms in California, as well as numerous small- and mid-sized law firms.

Our lawyers have defended law firms in every imaginable context, not only in legal malpractice claims, but also in actions filed by non-clients, such as bankruptcy trustees, disappointed investors and opposing parties who sue for malicious prosecution. We have extensive experience in handling bankruptcy-related matters involving law firms—claims for alleged legal malpractice, Jewel v. Boxer-type claims and even fraudulent transfer claims filed against lawyers who moved to new law firms. We are also frequently asked to step in to handle disqualification and sanctions motions due to our expertise in those areas.

We also handle certain State Bar matters. We advise on admissions to the Bar, respond to and defend firms in State Bar investigations, defend lawyers at trial when the Bar files formal charges and advise on issues of unauthorized practice of law, trust accounts, reporting obligations and the like.

Unlike some law firms which defend an occasional legal malpractice claim, we have represented lawyers in litigation for many years and know the special dynamics and issues that arise in such cases. Our approach to litigation always reflects well upon your firm and its reputation. We also have an additional tactical advantage arising from our years of advising law firms on legal ethics, risk management and conflicts issues. That experience gives us exceptional understanding of all aspects of the laws governing lawyers and the business realities of modern law practice.

In our counseling practice, we strive for practical and sensible solutions. We advise firms on various ethical issues, partnership law, litigation with or between partners, employment claims (including WARN Act litigation), and mergers, lateral hiring and dissolutions.

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