Attorney Malpractice

The Human Cost of Legal Malpractice 

Being failed by an attorney is unlike any other professional disappointment. It doesn’t just cause financial harm—it shakes your faith in the entire legal system. Clients often describe feeling trapped: embarrassed to admit they trusted the wrong person, afraid to take further legal steps, and unsure of whether anyone will listen to them again. 

The harm caused by malpractice is real and lasting. Missed deadlines, conflicts of interest, or failures to act can cost clients more than just money. They can lose homes, businesses, custody rights, or career opportunities. They can suffer reputational harm that follows them long after the case is closed. And the emotional toll—stress, anxiety, anger, and a sense of betrayal—can leave people feeling isolated and powerless. 

But here’s the truth: you are not powerless. Legal malpractice claims exist for a reason. Attorneys have professional duties, and when they violate those duties, the law provides a path to accountability. By pursuing a malpractice claim, you are not just seeking compensation for yourself—you are helping ensure higher standards across the legal profession. 

What Is Legal Malpractice? 

Legal malpractice happens when an attorney’s negligence, misconduct, or breach of duty directly harms a client. It is not about simple mistakes or strategies that didn’t pan out. It is about failures so serious that they undermine the very representation the client was entitled to receive. 

Examples of legal malpractice include: 

• Missing filing deadlines or statutes of limitations that destroy a client’s case. 
  

• Filing incorrect or incomplete paperwork that jeopardizes rights. 
  

• Failing to communicate critical updates or settlement offers. 
  

• Conflicts of interest, where the attorney’s loyalty is divided. 
  

• Breaches of confidentiality, exposing sensitive information. 
  

• Inadequate preparation, research, or courtroom advocacy. 
  

When these actions—or inactions—cause measurable harm, they rise to the level of malpractice. That harm might be financial, reputational, or even personal, but in every case it leaves the client with a sense of profound injustice. 

Understanding what constitutes malpractice is the first step toward reclaiming your rights. If you suspect your attorney mishandled your case, it’s important to speak with an experienced malpractice lawyer who can evaluate the facts, explain your options, and chart a path forward. 

Proving a Malpractice Claim 

Legal malpractice cases are complex. To succeed, you must prove not only that your attorney fell short, but that their negligence caused you real harm. Courts require convincing evidence that: 

• An attorney-client relationship existed. 
  

• The attorney was negligent in their representation. 
  

• The negligence directly caused an injury. 
  

• The injury led to damages—financial, reputational, or otherwise.  

Meeting these requirements often involves reconstructing the original case to show how it should have been handled, gathering expert testimony, and presenting a clear chain of causation between the lawyer’s conduct and the harm you suffered. 

Our firm works tirelessly to build these cases. We partner with respected experts, conduct detailed investigations, and develop arguments that stand up in court. Every detail matters, because holding another lawyer accountable requires both precision and strength. 

Strategic Advocacy for Clients Across California 

At our firm, legal malpractice cases are not approached with a “one-size-fits-all” strategy. Every client’s experience is unique, and every failure by an attorney impacts a life in a different way. That’s why we take a personalized approach to every case, guided by decades of courtroom experience. 

Our process includes: 

• Thorough Consultations and Case Evaluations – Listening to your story, analyzing your original case, and identifying where malpractice occurred. 
  

• Strategic Planning – Determining the best path forward, whether through negotiation, settlement, or aggressive litigation in court. 
  

• Relentless Advocacy – Leveraging our 40+ years of experience and resources to pursue the strongest possible outcome. 
  

For many clients, simply having a lawyer who listens, explains, and takes their concerns seriously provides a sense of relief. For others, justice means pursuing damages aggressively in court. We provide both—tailored to what you need. 

Why You Need a Legal Malpractice Lawyer 

Taking action against a former lawyer can feel daunting. After all, your trust has already been broken once. But failing to act only compounds the harm. Pursuing a legal malpractice claim is about more than holding someone accountable—it is about protecting your financial future, your reputation, and your peace of mind. 

• Financial Consequences: Missed settlements, lost claims, or unnecessary expenses can create long-term financial strain. 
  

• Reputational Harm: Mistakes in cases involving business or career-related matters can damage professional standing. 
  

• Emotional Stress: The betrayal of legal malpractice weighs heavily on personal and family relationships. 
  

A skilled malpractice lawyer can lift this burden. We understand how these cases work, we know the defenses negligent attorneys will raise, and we have the experience to counter them effectively. By pursuing justice, you take back control of your future. 

Our Commitment to You 

When you choose Timothy D. McGonigle, PC, you are not just hiring legal representation—you are choosing a partner in one of the most difficult chapters of your life. Our commitment is simple: to pursue justice with the same dedication and determination you expected from your original attorney, but did not receive. 

For over four decades, we have stood up for clients who felt abandoned, ignored, or betrayed by the very people they trusted most. We hold negligent attorneys accountable, recover compensation for our clients, and restore faith in a system that, at its best, is meant to deliver justice. 

If you believe you have been the victim of legal malpractice, do not wait to take action. Deadlines apply, and the sooner we begin, the stronger your case will be. 

👉 Contact our Los Angeles office today for a confidential consultation with an experienced California legal malpractice lawyer. Let us put our decades of experience and relentless advocacy to work for you. Together, we can pursue the justice and resolution you deserve. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Malpractice 

Q1: What counts as legal malpractice in California? 
Legal malpractice occurs when an attorney fails to meet the professional standard of care, and that failure causes harm to the client. This could include negligence (like missed deadlines or filing errors), misconduct (such as conflicts of interest), or breaches of duty (like failing to communicate). 

Q2: Is every mistake a lawyer makes considered malpractice? 
No. Lawyers are not liable simply because a case didn’t go the way you hoped. Malpractice requires proof of negligence or misconduct that directly caused harm—for example, losing a case because your attorney missed the statute of limitations. 

Q3: What damages can I recover in a legal malpractice case? 

Damages may include lost financial opportunities, additional legal costs, emotional distress, and in some cases, reputational harm. The goal is to put you in the position you would have been in had the malpractice not occurred. 

Q4: How long do I have to file a legal malpractice claim in California? 
The statute of limitations is generally one year from when you discovered (or should have discovered) the malpractice, but no more than four years from when it occurred. Acting quickly is essential to preserve your rights. 

Q5: What if I don’t want to sue another lawyer? 
It’s understandable to feel hesitant, but legal malpractice claims aren’t about revenge—they’re about accountability. Holding negligent attorneys responsible protects your future and helps ensure higher standards in the profession. 

Q6: Can I sue my lawyer for losing my case? 
Not automatically. A lost case is not malpractice unless you can prove your attorney’s negligence or misconduct caused the loss. For example, failing to present evidence, meet deadlines, or disclose conflicts of interest could qualify. 

Q7: Do I need another lawyer to sue my former lawyer? 
Yes. Malpractice law is highly complex, and you need an experienced legal malpractice lawyer to evaluate your case, gather evidence, and pursue compensation effectively. 

Q8: How long does a malpractice case take? 
It depends on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in months; others may take a year or more. Our firm prepares every case for trial to strengthen your position. 

Q9: What if I already hired a new lawyer for my case? 
You can still pursue a malpractice claim for the harm caused by your original attorney. In fact, new counsel is often essential to both your underlying matter and the malpractice case. 

Q10: How do I know if I have a valid malpractice claim? 
The best way is through a consultation. We’ll review your case, the attorney’s actions, and the harm you suffered to determine if malpractice occurred and whether damages can be pursued.