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Texas Legal Malpractice Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: If a disability attorney ruined my disability case. Will I be able to file a legal melpractice on him?

My attorney failed to, communicate with me after numerous phone calls and emails. I had to write a review to get their attention for a.couple of says then nothing. I got a voicmail from a legal assistant at the firm that they messed my case up and to re apply like it's okay. I've waited... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Oct 2, 2023

Yes a legal malpractice case is possible.

The first question is did the attorney act below the standard of care (malpractice).

The next question is did the attorney's malpractice cause you harm, that is does it cost you money.

You are required to mitigate your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: If you fire your personal injury lawyer and you can prove he never even called the adjuster how does he charge a third

And what process can I go through to try to get him not to be paid he never even called he had been retained for 2 weeks

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 22, 2023

The attorney probably can’t recover a full one-third contingency fee if the attorney has not performed any material work on a case.

Calling an adjuster may or may not be necessary in a lawsuit. But a delay of two weeks in a lawsuit that likely will last two years isn’t particularly material.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: how do i go about withdrawing my attorney from my divorce case so I can finish the process in default?

Unresponsive attorney. Meets default criteria, but court says I have to withdraw her from the case.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 12, 2023

You will need to instruct your attorney to file a motion to withdraw. Once an attorney has appeared on your behalf, you cannot file court papers on your own behalf in a civil case. Your attorney will have to file a motion to withdraw.

Alternatively, you can hire another, more responsive...
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1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Our lawyer was discussing our case with the person who.referred me.to her.is.that legal

I was referred to our attorney by a neighbor. My lawyer has been sharing opinions details and information about our case to this person. That person is someone I recently had to file a police report on for stealing close to $800. When I confronted my attorney and reiterated what was being said she... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jun 27, 2023

Generally, no, these details should not have been shared.

3 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice and Wrongful Death for Texas on
Q: My husband was in a rehab facility and there where several incidents that occurred and this last one resulted in his de

Resulted in his death what should I do

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 20, 2023

The first thing is have someone perform an autopsy on your husband’s body to determine the cause of his death. Ask the medical examiner to focus on any mistreatment or malpractice that might have contributed to his death. Include a full toxicology screen.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: If I plan to file a malpractice suit against my attorney am I supposed to notify him in advance or just do it?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 7, 2023

That is up to you. Unless your agreement with your former attorney requires presuit notice, mediation, or arbitration, there is no legal requirement to give prior notice.

In my experience, presenting your claim prior to filing suit in detail and offering to mediate before filing can help...
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2 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Can I sue for legal malpractice

I paid a lawyer for a land lord tenant situation to represent me a dpta case and landlord dispute. I sign a contract of aggressive representation and 10 hrs of legal work for an amount paid .I only got a 40 min phone call to be told he can't represent me or nothing but this happen after I paid... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 21, 2023

While it is possible that you may have legitimate grounds to dispute the fee, you should not necessarily assume that the 40 minute phone call was the only legal work performed by the attorney and his law firm on your behalf.

Depending upon the facts of your situation, the attorney may have...
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1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Can a lawyer settle my case without my consent in Texas? Or Under what circumstances if it is legal?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 21, 2023

No.

However, many attorneys (especially personal injury attorneys) include in their fee agreement a provision in which the client provides consent for the attorney to settle the case on the client’s behalf.

Most attorneys, including those with such provisions in their fee...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: What happens if the state does not file a motion to change the cause number to reindict but follows through under new #?

If a motion has to be filed before a cause number is assigned, is it lawful to file a motion after?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 24, 2022

Errors and discrepancies in case numbers are almost never fatal. Most such issues can be corrected. It is the substance that matters

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: If my divorce lawyer didn't look out for my best interested & the divorce was settled.Can I get another lawyer & refile?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 8, 2022

No. Your settlement will preclude you from relitigating your divorce against your former spouse.

Your legal remedy is a legal malpractice case against your former attorney. You will need to show that your former attorney’s conduct did not meet the standard of care for attorneys...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: I need a question answered very serious and important thank you.

Hi I went to court, the paper I signed stating what my next court date was, said the 14th of November. My bail bondsman sent me an email on the 6th saying that I had court on the 14th. My court date on the 14th was cancelled I have a text from my lawyer to prove it. This is where I get lost. I get... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 26, 2022

There is simply no way anyone could possibly answer this question in this forum. You should talk to your bail bondsman and show him the paperwork you were given showing your court date. And get another attorney to investigate for you

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes, Identity Theft and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Where can I find a super attorney to handle my case. Theft, lies, and attorneys who helped steal my family's oil and ga

oil and gas wells in Texas. I have proof, where can I find an attorney that can help us get everything back plus interest?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 21, 2022

You should look here in Justia for an experienced attorney board certified in civil litigation with a background in oil and gas litigation and in real estate litigation, ideally located in the county (or an adjacent county) where the stolen oil and gas wells are located.

Obviously, this is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Why is there so much corruption in the Bexar County Justice System…San Antonio, Texas

I plan to expose those who are corrupt in the Law Enforcement and Justice Department. Corruption will not be committed on my watch as an American Veteran and Advocate for those who can’t defend themselves… They are putting innocent individuals in jail and in prison…

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 6, 2022

In my professional experience, there is very little corruption in the Bexar County justice system.

True, from time to time an innocent person is found guilty and put in jail or prison. In my experience, that is rarely the result of corruption but is more commonly the result of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Legal Malpractice and Libel & Slander for Texas on
Q: Where can I get a writ of habeas corpus article 11.09 application form when charge can later be used for an enhancement?

It's a jocular episode of "resisting arrest"; a class A misdemeanor upfront, but upon successive charges shall be enhanced to a felonious severity...

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 26, 2022

Habeas Corpus Writ Application forms should be available at the Court of Criminal Appeals website. If not, use the 11.07 app form and review the 11.09 rules to be sure you comply.

Good Luck!

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Can judges and attorneys be held accountable?

Is it possible to pursue legal action on an attorney and judge for misconduct? The judge has already had disciplinary action With the board

Arturo C. Aguilar
PREMIUM
Arturo C. Aguilar pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 20, 2022

You can sue an attorney, yes. That is called malpractice.

Judges are exempt from suit because of how they ruled on your case. The best you can do is file a complaint with the Texas Judicial Board, but you need serious evidence. Merely ruling against you is insufficient. Your best way to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Constitutional Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Does Habeas relief extend to Texas' provision to pet. for order of non-disclosure of Crim Hist. (Tx Govt 411.081)

following discharge from community superv./deferred adj. (Tx Govt code Art. 42A.106b) (assuming Strickland is met and 11.073 collateral consequences are sufficient enough to meet 'confinement' standard) addtl background: i was denied an order for non-disclosure under (411.081) because i... View More

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 5, 2022

I have not seen any caselaw that will allow what you are seeking. Once you are not "actually confined" it is almost impossible to get habeas relief. You could litigate and appeal the issue but I do not see you being successful without a showing of signifigant or real confinment or other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Will you travel to Wichita Falls, TX?
John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 3, 2022

YES!

I practice all over Texas.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Constitutional Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Can an Amicus Attorney 1. Modify a temporary order 2. Strike all of a Pro Se's pleadings?

EXAMPLE:

The court ordered you to pay $2000 almost 2 years ago. According to the rules of civil procedure if you don’t pay within 10 days of when you were ordered the court can strike your pleadings. You have paid a total of $50 leaving an outstanding deposit balance of $1950. If that... View More

Penny Wymyczak-White
Penny Wymyczak-White
answered on Jun 26, 2022

I doubt the court will strike your pleadings but you need to pay or settle the case,

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: What can I do about a bad lawyer?

I have had an assigned lawyer for 11 months. During that time she has been extremely uncommunicative, not answering any requests for info about my defense. Not confirming that she receives my calls or emails. She has not done anything in my defense to prepare for trial. Last week, prior to a... View More

Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace
answered on Jun 22, 2022

It sounds like you have already taken the proper steps by documenting your communications and approaching the judge. Many court-appointed lawyers are overworked and underpaid. Client communications are time-consuming and are not always helpful to the attorney's preparation of a defense.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: I was charged, but no conviction, of a class A in 2017. Then, this year, I found out discrepancies. can I appeal?

I got a hold, via a court FOIA request, of my 2016 arrest records. When I got indicted and charged, I kept getting told that my charge could not get entirely dismissed because the "witness statements" said something that was too "serious" to get my much more concrete piece of... View More

Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace
answered on May 13, 2022

The best time to fight criminal charges is BEFORE you take a plea. The only way to get Deferred Adjudication is to enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest (which is the same as Guilty with regard to a criminal case anyway.) In almost all cases, a defendant only has 30 days to start the appeals... View More

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