Washington, DC Legal Malpractice Lawyer

Are You a Victim of Legal Malpractice?

The Washington, DC, legal malpractice lawyers of Regan Zambri Long are among the best trial lawyers in the Washington Metropolitan area. With a combined 100 years of experience, our attorneys have secured over $1 billion in record-setting verdicts and settlements on behalf of accident victims and their families.

With a track record of success recognized by clients and peers, Regan Zambri Long is routinely honored by well-respected legal organizations and publications throughout the country. Further, our founding partners, Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Victor Long, are board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy.

We know that when your lawyer doesn’t meet expectations and doesn’t hold your best interests at heart, it can seem hopeless. But there is hope — and it’s with Regan Zambri Long. We are available 24/7 and one of our award-winning attorneys will call you back. Do not delay and call us today for a free case evaluation.

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Why Choose Regan Zambri Long For Your DC Legal Malpractice Claim?

By choosing Regan Zambri Long for your Washington, DC, legal malpractice claim, you can rest assured knowing your case is being backed by legal professionals who work with experts to build your claim. Since opening our doors 30 years ago, Regan Zambri Long has recovered over a billion dollars in compensation for victims of negligence and continues to fight for them today.

Record-Breaking Legal Malpractice Settlements

One of the largest legal malpractice verdicts in District of Columbia history was won by Regan Zambri Long. Our team secured a $7.3 million verdict for a young woman who was paralyzed in an automobile accident and who filed suit against her original lawyer, who had failed to protect her rights.

National Recognition and Legal Honors

Our lawyers have gained national recognition and have achieved awards for their work in DC personal injury law and legal negligence. Partners Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Victor Long are board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Additionally, Victor Long serves as the Chair of the Washington, DC Court of Appeals Client Security Trust Fund, and Patrick Regan is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Other recognitions and memberships include:

  • International Society of Barristers
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Thurgood Marshall American Inn of Court
  • American Association of Justice
  • Best Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers
  • Lawdragon
  • Martindale-Hubbell

Small Law Firm With Big Reach

Regan Zambri Long may be a small firm, but we have an extensive network, which benefits our clients. We give personalized attention to every client to ensure the personal connection many injury victims need. We collaborate with medical experts, reconstruction specialists, expert witnesses, and other professionals to ensure that the evidence we need to build your case is comprehensive and sound.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, call the DC legal malpractice lawyers of Regan Zambri Long. 

Washington, DC legal malpractice lawyer Victor Long

Can I Sue My Lawyer for Legal Malpractice?​

When you hire an attorney for a personal injury claim or any kind of legal case, you expect that they have your best interests in mind. Typically, this is the case; your lawyer serves as your partner and advocate. Still, sometimes attorneys can neglect their duty to you as their client. If this occurs, you may be able to sue for legal malpractice.

The elements you need to prove for legal malpractice include:

  • An attorney-client relationship existed.
  • There was a breach in the duty owed to the client.
  • There is a proximate cause for the losses sustained.
  • The client suffered actual damages.

Do You Need a Legal Malpractice Lawyer in Washington, DC?

Professional negligence can result in the loss of your case and the compensation you would have otherwise recovered. In some cases, the lawyer may even still charge you fees and/or expenses, increasing your financial burdens. However, if your attorney fails to uphold their duty to you, then you may have grounds for an attorney malpractice lawsuit.

This type of claim is often challenging to file successfully, but a Washington, DC legal malpractice attorney at Regan Zambri Long PLLC can help you hold the lawyer accountable for negligence and also collect the compensation you deserve from your original claim.

Finding a DC Legal Malpractice Lawyer

Finding an attorney who can successfully represent your claim against a fellow lawyer can be challenging. However, the legal malpractice lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC believe that we have an ethical duty to clients who have been wronged by their legal representatives. Attorney negligence cases are often fiercely contested and can be extremely expensive to litigate. Therefore, you need a law firm with the experience and resources to handle the complexities of your claim.

We have the experience necessary to pursue the attorney who misrepresented you and obtain the justice you deserve. In fact, Senior Partner Victor E. Long was recently appointed by the Washington, DC Court of Appeals as a Trustee for the Client Security Trust Fund. Trustees oversee the safe investment of clients’ funds held in trusts in the District of Columbia. Trustees also decide whether claims made by clients who have lost money due to the dishonesty of lawyers can proceed in a court of law.

What Is Legal Malpractice?

As with any professional malpractice claim, legal malpractice cases may arise out of any kind of misconduct. Your lawyer has a duty to provide you with quality legal advice and representation; anything that compromises this duty may be grounds for an attorney negligence lawsuit.

Common examples of legal malpractice include:

  • Failure to apply the law. Your attorney should fully understand your rights and obligations under the law. However, if your attorney is not familiar with the specific laws and statutes relevant to your case, then you may miss opportunities for compensation. This is common when lawyers accept cases in areas of law they do not usually practice.
  • Failure to prepare and/or file paperwork. Your lawyer should stay organized and informed about your case so that you do not miss filing deadlines or other requirements.
  • Conflict of interest. For example, an attorney represents an injured driver, while another attorney in the law firm represents the at-fault party in the car accident.
  • Negligent discovery. A thorough investigation of your case is crucial to uncovering crucial evidence, which can significantly impact your chances of success. Additionally, failure to submit or use necessary evidence in crafting your claim may also be legal malpractice.
  • Failure to get the client’s consent. Your attorney should not agree to a settlement or any conditions without first getting your consent.
  • Breach of fiduciary duty. The law obligates your lawyer to act in your best interest and protect your property and/or money. This includes communicating with you, maintaining confidentiality, and complying with your wishes.
  • Breach of contract.When you hire legal counsel, you will sign a contract specifying the obligations of all parties. If your lawyer violates the terms of the contract, then you may have grounds for a legal malpractice lawsuit.
Jacqueline Colclough, a Washington, DC medical malpractice attorney at Regan Zambri Long PLLC, stands confidently in a professional outdoor setting. She is dressed in a white blazer and navy dress with pearl jewelry, conveying authority and trust. As a leading advocate for patients affected by medical negligence, Ms. Colclough brings years of legal experience to complex healthcare-related claims.

How Do I File An Attorney Malpractice Lawsuit?

Although your lawyer may make a mistake or act negligently, your claim must meet specific requirements to be successful. Generally, you must be able to demonstrate:

The Attorney’s Duty

You need to show that the attorney had a duty to represent your best interests in the case. This is typically the simplest requirement to meet. The contract you signed with the attorney should demonstrate that they owed you a duty of care.

Breach of Duty

You may have evidence that your lawyer was negligent in their duty to represent you. Some examples of breach of duty include missing a filing deadline. In many cases, proving breach of duty may require an expert witness who can testify about the errors the lawyer made.

Causation

Even if a lawyer is negligent, this does not necessarily mean that the error caused negative results in your case. For example, your lawyer may fail to gather specific evidence in a medical malpractice claim. However, if this evidence would not have been enough to influence a verdict, then you may not have grounds for a claim.

Actual Damages

You and your legal malpractice attorney must demonstrate the losses you suffered due to your first lawyer’s negligence. This can be particularly challenging, especially in cases involving personal injury. To show that you suffered damages, you must argue that you would have won your case if your lawyer had provided competent representation. This creates a “case within a case,” meaning that your new lawyer may first have to re-litigate your original claim before proceeding with your legal malpractice case.

In addition to filing a claim, you may be able to report your lawyer’s conduct to the state disciplinary board. A legal malpractice attorney in Washington, DC, can advise you on all of your options.

Do You Need a Legal Malpractice Attorney in Washington DC?

If your lawyer neglected your case, causing a negative outcome, then you may have a legal negligence claim. However, as attorney malpractice lawsuits are notoriously difficult, you should always consult with a law firm that has experience in legal malpractice claims.

The legal malpractice attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC believe in advocating for injury victims, even if that means suing attorneys. As a personal injury law firm in Washington, DC, we also represent clients in Maryland and Virginia. Call (202) 960-4596 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Malpractice in DC

I Don’t Think My Lawyer is Acting in My Best Interests. Can I Fire Them?

Yes. You have the right to fire an attorney at any time during the representation. You are also allowed to see what your lawyer was doing while working on your case. After firing your attorney, you may request your files for a new attorney to review the case.

I Can’t Get in Touch With My Attorney. Is This Malpractice?

Attorneys must keep their clients informed about the status of their cases. If it appears that the attorney has stopped returning your calls or is no longer working on the case, this may constitute a form of legal malpractice.

Can My Attorney Accept a Settlement Offer Without Consulting Me?

If your lawyer accepts a settlement offer without first obtaining your consent, it is considered a breach of fiduciary duty. The attorney is required to inform you of all settlement offers, and only you can agree before a settlement is reached.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Legal Malpractice Claim?

The statute of limitations for legal malpractice in Washington, DC, and in Maryland is three years. In Virginia, the statute of limitations is two years.

Can a Lawyer Represent Opposing Parties?

The simple answer is no, a lawyer cannot represent two clients who have opposing interests. Additionally, a lawyer cannot represent a client if another attorney in the same law firm is representing the opposing party.

Contact Our DC Legal Malpractice Attorneys Today

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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