Legal Malpractice – Expert Testimony

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Civil

WI Court of Appeals – District II

Officials: Brown, C.J., Neubauer, P.J., and Gundrum, J.

Legal Malpractice – Expert Testimony

2014AP1679 Tami L. Kraft v. Michael W. Steinhafel

Where expert testimony not necessary to establish legal malpractice.

“Similar to our discussion above, it is within the understanding of the lay juror whether Steinhafel continued to misinform Kraft about the mandatory five-year revocation of her license, including during the time he represented her while employed by the Schroeder Group. Further, the average juror is capable of understanding whether Steinhafel’s alleged continued misinforming of Kraft about the effect of the stipulation and order after Steinhafel began his employment with the Group on October 1, 2007, caused Kraft to incur damages in continuing to operate her business office. Upon remand then, the only damage issue as to the Schroeder Group relates to business expenses incurred by Kraft after October 1, 2007, and no expert testimony is required in relation to this. “

Decision

Reversed and Remanded. Per Curiam.  – Recommended for publication

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.