Legal Malpractice Lawyer Tompkins County, NY
When you hire an attorney, you place trust in their skill and diligence. If a lawyer’s error, omission, or breach of duty causes you financial loss or damages a legal claim, you may have a legal malpractice action. In Tompkins County, New York, claims alleging attorney negligence are litigated under the state’s civil procedure framework in the New York Supreme Court. The firm concentrates its civil litigation practice on representing individuals and businesses who have suffered harm because of professional misconduct by their former counsel. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and his Of Counsel team bring extensive experience evaluating complex legal-malpractice matters. They approach each case with a detailed review of the underlying litigation file, applicable professional standards, and the causation required to prove that a different outcome was likely absent the attorney’s error. If you suspect that a lawyer’s misstep cost you a viable case or caused a preventable loss, you can reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Legal Malpractice Means in Tompkins County
A legal malpractice claim arises when an attorney fails to exercise the ordinary reasonable skill and knowledge commonly possessed by a member of the legal profession, and that failure proximately causes damage to the client. In New York, such claims are governed by the Civil Practice Law and Rules and interpretive case law. To prevail, a plaintiff must establish: the existence of an attorney‑client relationship giving rise to a duty; a breach of that duty by act or omission; that the breach was a proximate cause of the client’s loss; and actual, ascertainable damages. The analysis requires more than showing a bad outcome — it requires evidence that, but for the attorney’s negligence, the client would have succeeded in the underlying action or obtained a more favorable result.
Legal malpractice matters in Tompkins County are litigated in the New York Supreme Court, Tompkins County, which sits at 320 North Tioga Street in Ithaca and has general, unlimited civil jurisdiction. The court operates within the 6th Judicial District. Typical litigation involves pleadings drafted under the CPLR, discovery including experienced attorney disclosure and depositions, and potential summary judgment motions addressing the viability of the malpractice claim. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are familiar with the procedural expectations of the Tompkins County Supreme Court and handle legal malpractice matters with careful attention to the detailed proof required under New York law.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Legal Malpractice Cases
Evaluating a legal malpractice claim requires a thorough investigation of the original case file, a command of the applicable substantive law that governed the underlying matter, and an assessment of how a reasonably competent attorney would have handled the representation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel review pleadings, correspondence, court orders, billing records, and witness statements to identify deviations from the standard of care. They consult with independent experienced attorneys when necessary to frame the professional standard and the causal link between the alleged error and the client’s damage.
The litigation strategy is built case by case. Some matters resolve through pre‑suit negotiation or mediation, while others proceed through discovery, dispositive motions, and trial. Because New York courts closely scrutinize malpractice claims at the summary judgment stage, the firm prepares each case with the expectation that the evidence must withstand early challenge. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel maintain direct communication with clients, explaining procedural choices and realistic case assessments without making any guarantee of outcome. Prior results do not guarantee a similar result; each matter depends on its unique facts.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background as a former prosecutor brings a perspective shaped by years of trial experience. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Alongside him, a team of Of Counsel attorneys contributes to the firm’s civil litigation practice, including the handling of legal malpractice claims. All Of Counsel are engaged through Excella and work collaboratively with Mr. Sris. The combined legal experience of Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel spans over 120 years. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must I prove in a legal malpractice case in New York?
You must show an attorney‑client relationship, that the attorney’s conduct fell below the ordinary standard of care, that the breach caused your loss, and that you suffered quantifiable damages. Expert testimony is nearly always required to explain the professional standard and how the attorney’s actions deviated from it.
Do I need a lawyer to bring a legal malpractice claim in Tompkins County?
While you are not legally required to retain counsel, pursuing a legal malpractice claim against another attorney is procedurally demanding and fact‑intensive. An experienced litigator can evaluate the strengths of your case, gather the necessary proof, and navigate the strict pleading and experienced attorney requirements imposed by New York courts. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel can discuss whether your situation warrants legal action during a consultation.
How does the court handle legal malpractice cases in Tompkins County?
Once a complaint is filed in Tompkins County Supreme Court, the case proceeds under the CPLR. The court may schedule preliminary conferences, set discovery deadlines, and entertain dispositive motions. Legal malpractice cases often involve extensive documentary discovery and experienced attorney disclosure before trial. The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the issues and the court’s calendar.
What kinds of losses can I recover in a legal malpractice action?
Recoverable damages typically include the economic loss you suffered because of the attorney’s negligence — for example, the value of the underlying claim that was lost, legal fees paid to the negligent attorney, and in some cases consequential damages. New York law permits prejudgment interest at a statutory rate. The specific damages available depend on the facts of your case.
How much time do I have to file a legal malpractice claim in New York?
The timeframe for bringing a claim is set by the statute of limitations applicable to professional malpractice actions. Because the deadline can be affected by factors such as the date the alleged malpractice occurred and when it was or should have been discovered, you should speak with an attorney promptly. Waiting may jeopardize your right to pursue a claim.
What should I bring when I meet with a lawyer about a possible malpractice case?
Bring all documents related to your original legal matter: engagement letters, pleadings, correspondence with the prior attorney, court orders, settlement offers, and any notes you kept. Having a complete file helps Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel assess whether the representation fell below acceptable professional standards and caused you harm.
For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris.