Legal Question in Legal Malpractice in Massachusetts

Legal Malpractice of lawyer

I have a legal question: I filed a civil lawsuit(in 1999)in Dedham Superior Court, MA. I could not afford a lawyer, so I represented myself. I lost the case (I have no experience and it was the first time I did that). I decided to file another lawsuit in a Federal Courthouse, in Boston, late 2001, (this time with a lawyer who ended up overcharging me)against the same people I sued in the Dedham Courthouse). I also lost this case, on account that, according to the verdict, that case(suing the same people for the same reason I sued them in Dedham Courthouse (Civil Rights violations)had been seen in another courthouse(Dedham, 1999), prior to the Federal Courthouse.

I've been thinking lately about this question: is this lawyer supposed to know that the same case could not be taken to another court, because I will lose it, yet, he did take it, anyway?.

Is this legal for this lawyer to take that case?.

Is there any law in Massachusetts that forbids lawyers to take cases like this, with the circumstances above mentioned?.

I'd appreciate any information about this.


Asked on 6/12/02, 12:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nance Lyons Law Office of Nance Lyons

Re: Legal Malpractice of lawyer

If the same facts and claims were in the Federal case, a court would not hear it-it would be dismissed.

If you are concerned about legal fees paid or actions of attorney involved, contact the Board of Bar Overseers. They handle complaints about lawyers and can refer you to a fee arbitration board to reolve your claim for return of attorney's fees.

Read more
Answered on 6/14/02, 8:08 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Legal Malpractice Law questions and answers in Massachusetts