Did you know...

... that the Lee Smart firm has a distinguished history of defending legal-malpractice cases?

The firm has several decades of experience in a wide range of professional-liability litigation, including countless legal-malpractice actions. We have won or successfully resolved cases on summary judgment, at trial, and on appeal.

Just a few of Lee Smart's significant reported appellate decisions in the defense of legal-malpractice cases are: Ang v. Martin, 154 Wn.2d 477, 114 P.3d 637 (2005) (malpractice plaintiff who sues criminal-defense lawyer must prove actual innocence of underlying charge); Aubin v. Barton, 123 Wn. App. 592, 98 P.3d 126 (2004) (lawyer’s duty of care in settlement negotiations); Flint v. Hart, 82 Wn. App. 209, 917 P.2d 590 (1996) (lawyer’s duty of care in retaining security interest in sale of business); Harrington v. Pailthorp, 67 Wn. App. 901, 776 P.2d 971 (1992) (scope of duty of lawyers to non-clients); Kelly v. Foster, 62 Wn. App. 150, 813 P.2d 598 (1991) (availability of attorney-fee award in legal-malpractice action); Smith v. Simonarson, 56 Wn. App. 513, 784 P.2d 552 (1990) (failure to record judgment and effect of automatic stay); McKasson v. State, 55 Wn. App. 18, 776 P.2d 971 (1989) (scope of limited right of non-clients to sue); and Olson v. Haas, 43 Wn. App. 484, 718 P.2d 1 (1986) (scope of attorney-client privilege, where one ex-client is not a party to malpractice case).

Lee Smart shareholders who regularly defend lawyer-malpractice cases include David L. Martin, Joel E. Wright, Philip B. Grennan, Jeffrey P. Downer, Sam B. Franklin, and Michelle A. Corsi.

The Lee Smart Quarterly is a publication of the law offices of Lee, Smart, Cook, Martin & Patterson, P.S., Inc. for clients and others. It is intended as general information only and is not to be construed as legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have any specific legal questions.

Editor: Jeffrey P. Downer	Eml: jpd@leesmart.com
Phone: 206.621.3482	Toll Free: 877.624.7990