Verdict Report

Type of action: Settlement Agreement

Injuries Alleged: Monetary loss

Settlement: $175,000

Demand:

Highest Offer:

Plaintiff’s Attorney(s): Paul A. Sortland

Defense Attorney(s): Withheld

Insurance Carrier: Minnesota Lawyers Mutual (MLM)

Court: Hennepin County District Court

Case Number:

Judge:

Date of Disposition: 2005-01-31 00:00:00

Plaintiff’s Expert(s):

Defense Expert(s):

Summary of Case: The plaintiff company had worked with defendant attorneys for a number of years on various matters. One of the plaintiff’s principals asked the attorneys to draft a side-agreement with a company they were in litigation with. The attorney failed to do this and also failed to note this agreement in a settlement with the other company.

The plaintiff attempted to resolve or mitigate the matter through litigation with the same company, but lost at both the District Court and appellate level. After failing in these attempts, the plaintiff commenced litigation seeking compensation for damages from the attorneys.

Significantly, MLM claimed that it was not responsible because the attorneys had not reported the claim when they first knew about the potential claim or were in possession of facts that would support a claim. The attorneys had renewed their policy during the litigation and appeal without reporting the potential claim to MLM. As a result, MLM agreed to pay only $75,000 of the settlement.

 
 
contactusadvertisesubscribeaboutus