LAW 842 Legal Malpractice and Prevention
The purpose of this course is to examine the law of professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, constructive fraud, and other torts affecting attorneys in the practice of law, including vicarious liability, and to inform students about good habits and skills in the practice of law to prevent being accused of malpractice. The scope of the course will include a study of legal malpractice principles recognized in North Carolina and other states, such as the elements of legal malpractice claims and defenses. In addition to liability to clients and third parties, disciplinary proceedings before the State Bar will be examined. The curriculum will focus on typical and atypical errors that lawyers make. The curriculum will also include an examination of "claims made" liability insurance available to lawyers.