Contacts
Professionals facing claims of negligence, misconduct or ethical violations need more than a strong courtroom defense. They need counsel who understands the civil, disciplinary, regulatory and reputational risks that can arise from the same set of facts.
Miller Canfield represents professionals, firms, public officials and insureds in high-stakes professional liability litigation, professional negligence claims, ethics matters, disciplinary proceedings and misconduct investigations. Our professional liability attorneys are known for handling sensitive matters with sound judgment, discretion and a practical understanding of what is truly at stake.
Our team defends clients in complex disputes involving legal malpractice, professional negligence, errors and omissions, breach of fiduciary duty, ethics violations, disciplinary proceedings, administrative investigations and related civil litigation. We are frequently called upon when the matter carries significant reputational risk, public scrutiny or the possibility of parallel civil, criminal, regulatory or disciplinary exposure.
Defense for Lawyers, Judges and Other Professionals
Miller Canfield has substantial experience representing lawyers, law firms, judges, accountants, financial consultants, investment advisers, securities brokers, insurance professionals, real estate professionals, engineers, actuaries, high-level employees and public officials.
Our work includes defending professionals in claims and proceedings involving:
- Legal malpractice and professional negligence
- Attorney grievance and discipline matters
- Judicial misconduct and judicial tenure proceedings
- Ethics and professional responsibility issues
- Errors and omissions claims
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Conflicts of interest
- Misconduct allegations
- Regulatory and administrative investigations
- Class actions and complex civil litigation
- Claims involving reputational or licensing risk
Legal Malpractice, Attorney Discipline and Judicial Misconduct
The firm has a strong record representing attorneys and law firms in legal malpractice litigation and professional discipline matters, including proceedings before the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission and Attorney Discipline Board.
We also represent judges facing allegations of judicial misconduct, including matters involving the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. These matters require a careful command of the governing rules, the disciplinary process and the broader professional and public implications of the allegations.
Our attorneys understand that for lawyers and judges, the defense is not only about resolving a claim. It is about protecting a career, a license, a reputation and the integrity of the professional record.
A Comprehensive View of Risk
Professional liability matters often involve overlapping risks. A civil claim may trigger a disciplinary inquiry. A professional negligence allegation may lead to regulatory scrutiny. An administrative investigation may create exposure in related litigation.
Miller Canfield’s experience across litigation, ethics, professional discipline, white-collar defense and administrative proceedings allows us to evaluate these matters from every angle. We help clients assess not only the immediate claim, but also the possible collateral consequences, including licensing, regulatory, criminal, reputational and business risks.
This broader perspective adds value for professionals, insurers and institutions alike. We work to limit civil liability while also helping clients avoid unnecessary additional exposure from the underlying conduct or the way the matter is defended.
Our professional liability defense work includes representation of:
Lawyers, Law Firms and Judges
We represent attorneys, law firms and judges in legal malpractice claims, attorney discipline matters, judicial misconduct proceedings, ethics inquiries, grievance investigations and related civil litigation.
Accountants and Financial Professionals
We defend accounting firms, financial consultants, investment advisers, securities brokers and other financial professionals in professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, errors and omissions, and misconduct claims.
Insurance and Real Estate Professionals
We represent insurance professionals, brokers, agents, real estate professionals and related businesses in disputes involving professional duties, alleged errors, omissions, negligence and fiduciary obligations.
Engineers, Actuaries and Other Licensed Professionals
We defend licensed and regulated professionals in claims involving professional judgment, alleged misconduct, technical errors, negligence and standards of care.
Public Officials and High-Level Employees
We represent public officials, executives and senior employees in sensitive investigations and proceedings involving alleged misconduct, professional duties, administrative claims and reputational risk.
Miller Canfield also defends health care providers and health care organizations in medical malpractice and related professional liability matters. Learn more about our health care litigation and medical malpractice defense experience on our Health Care page.
- Represented judges in high-profile matters involving allegations of judicial misconduct and proceedings before the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.
- Represented attorneys in disciplinary matters before the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission and Attorney Discipline Board.
- Represented an AmLaw 200 firm in the successful resolution of a legal malpractice action related to a patent infringement lawsuit.
- Represented a national law firm against claims brought by a sports manufacturer alleging it was responsible, under a successor liability theory, for alleged legal malpractice committed by certain lawyers before they joined the firm.
- Represented a leading law firm against a professional liability claim brought by individuals who retained the firm to prepare documents to advertise and sell investment interests in an oil and gas exploration and extraction project.
- Represented an intellectual property law firm in a declaratory judgment action filed after the firm was threatened with professional liability claims by an owner of several trademarks in the fitness industry.
- Defended an international certified public accounting and business advisory firm against professional liability claims brought by a telecommunications industry client involving tax advice and business transactions.
- Successfully prosecuted claims against national insurance brokerages for professional negligence in placing commercial general liability and inland marine insurance coverages.
