legal malpractice claim (Alaska) · Go Syfert
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legal malpractice claim in Alaska

10 Alaska opinions name it 1 courts 1992–2025 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Alaska courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (13)

CaseFollowedCited
Shaw v. State, Department of Administration, Public Defender Agencygreen
alaska · 1991 · cited in 5 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 1993–2014
2 sentences

2014Defender Agency, 816 P.2d 1358, 1361 (Alaska 1991) (“[W]e note the desirability of allowing a criminal defendant with a valid post-conviction relief claim to pursue that remedy without the distraction of also filing a legal malpractice claim.”)). -54- 6868 against Jones and to litigate against his insurance broker at the same time.

2014Defender Agency, 816 P.2d 1358, 1361 (Alaska 1991) (“[W]e note the desirability of allowing a criminal defendant with a valid post-conviction relief claim to pursue that remedy without the distraction of also filing a legal malpractice claim.”)). -54- 6868 against Jones and to litigate against his insurance broker at the same time.

45
Weisberg v. Williams, Connolly & Califanogreen
dc · 1978 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025In jurisdictions where it has been adopted, the continuous representation rule tolls statutes of limitations applicable to malpractice claims until the end of the attorney’s representation in the matter in which the alleged malpractice occurred.38 In Wettanen v. Cowper we observed that the continuous representation rule has “much to 36 See Wettanen v. Cowper, 749 P.2d 362, 365 (Alaska 1988); Beesley v. Van Doren, 873 P.2d 1280 , 1283 n.4 (Alaska 1994). 37 Wettanen, 749 P.2d at 365 (quoting Weisberg v. Williams, Connolly & Califano, 390 A.2d 992, 995 (D.C. 1978)). 38 See, e.g., Janicki Logging

11
Wettanen v. Cowpergreen
alaska · 1988 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025In jurisdictions where it has been adopted, the continuous representation rule tolls statutes of limitations applicable to malpractice claims until the end of the attorney’s representation in the matter in which the alleged malpractice occurred.38 In Wettanen v. Cowper we observed that the continuous representation rule has “much to 36 See Wettanen v. Cowper, 749 P.2d 362, 365 (Alaska 1988); Beesley v. Van Doren, 873 P.2d 1280 , 1283 n.4 (Alaska 1994). 37 Wettanen, 749 P.2d at 365 (quoting Weisberg v. Williams, Connolly & Califano, 390 A.2d 992, 995 (D.C. 1978)). 38 See, e.g., Janicki Logging

2025In jurisdictions where it has been adopted, the continuous representation rule tolls statutes of limitations applicable to malpractice claims until the end of the attorney’s representation in the matter in which the alleged malpractice occurred.38 In Wettanen v. Cowper we observed that the continuous representation rule has “much to 36 See Wettanen v. Cowper, 749 P.2d 362, 365 (Alaska 1988); Beesley v. Van Doren, 873 P.2d 1280 , 1283 n.4 (Alaska 1994). 37 Wettanen, 749 P.2d at 365 (quoting Weisberg v. Williams, Connolly & Califano, 390 A.2d 992, 995 (D.C. 1978)). 38 See, e.g., Janicki Logging

11
Picadilly, Inc. v. Raikosgreen
ind · 1991 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021IV, § 15 (vesting power to govern practice of law in this court). 12 Picadilly, Inc. v. Raikos, 582 N.E.2d 338, 341 (Ind. 1991) (“Today, it seems anachronistic to resolve the issue of the assignability of a legal malpractice claim by deciding whether such a claim would survive the client’s death . . . .

11
Bohna v. HUGHES, THORSNESS, GANTZgreen
alaska · 1992 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021Lastly, involuntary assignment of a legal malpractice claim to the client’s litigation adversary, as is sought here, may erode public confidence in the judicial system by “sanctioning an abrupt and shameless shifting of positions.”40 A legal malpractice case generally requires a “trial within a trial”: to prove that the client’s damage was proximately caused by legal malpractice, the client must show that the client’s claim or defense would have been successful but for the attorney’s breach of duty.41 When the 38 Id. (quoting Goodley v. Wank & Wank, Inc., 133 Cal. Rptr. 83 , 87 (Cal. App. 1976

11
Kommavongsa v. Haskellgreen
wash · 2003 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021As is sometimes the case with the common law, the rule has outlived the reason for its creation.”), abrogated on other grounds by Liggett v. Young, 877 N.E.2d 178 (Ind. 2007). 13 Id.; see also Kommavongsa v. Haskell, 67 P.3d 1068, 1072 , 1072 n.2 (Wash. 2003) (noting that state survival statutes and survival rule suggested that legal malpractice claims could be assigned, but recognizing that public policy considerations may dictate a different result); Wagener v. McDonald, 509 N.W.2d 188, 190 (Minn. App. 1993) (“[This court] consider[s] issues of public policy rather than the statutory surviva

11
Gefre v. Davis Wright Tremaine, LLPgreen
alaska · 2013 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021But attorneys already practice in the shadow of potential malpractice claims; our ethics rules, in fact, require attorneys to either maintain 30 Gray, 943 N.W.2d at 625 (quoting Kracht, 268 Cal. Rptr. at 641 n.6). 31 See Gefre v. Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, 306 P.3d 1264, 1280 (Alaska 2013). 32 Alaska R.

11
Wagener v. McDonaldgreen
minnctapp · 1993 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
1 sentence

2021As is sometimes the case with the common law, the rule has outlived the reason for its creation.”), abrogated on other grounds by Liggett v. Young, 877 N.E.2d 178 (Ind. 2007). 13 Id.; see also Kommavongsa v. Haskell, 67 P.3d 1068, 1072 , 1072 n.2 (Wash. 2003) (noting that state survival statutes and survival rule suggested that legal malpractice claims could be assigned, but recognizing that public policy considerations may dictate a different result); Wagener v. McDonald, 509 N.W.2d 188, 190 (Minn. App. 1993) (“[This court] consider[s] issues of public policy rather than the statutory surviva

11
United States National Bank of Oregon v. Daviesgreen
or · 1976 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014E.g., Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. Lane, 565 So.2d 1323, 1326 (Fla.1990); United States Nat'l Bank of Oregon v. Davies, 274 Or. 663 , 548 P.2d 966, 970 (1976); Hughes v. Mahaney & Higgins, 821 S.W.2d 154, 157 (Tex.1991). . 565 So.2d at 1326 . .

2014E.g., Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. Lane, 565 So.2d 1323, 1326 (Fla.1990); United States Nat'l Bank of Oregon v. Davies, 274 Or. 663 , 548 P.2d 966, 970 (1976); Hughes v. Mahaney & Higgins, 821 S.W.2d 154, 157 (Tex.1991). . 565 So.2d at 1326 . .

11
Hughes v. Mahaney & Higginsgreen
tex · 1992 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
1 sentence

2014E.g., Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. Lane, 565 So.2d 1323, 1326 (Fla.1990); United States Nat'l Bank of Oregon v. Davies, 274 Or. 663 , 548 P.2d 966, 970 (1976); Hughes v. Mahaney & Higgins, 821 S.W.2d 154, 157 (Tex.1991). . 565 So.2d at 1326 . .

11
Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. Lanegreen
fla · 1990 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014E.g., Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. Lane, 565 So.2d 1323, 1326 (Fla.1990); United States Nat'l Bank of Oregon v. Davies, 274 Or. 663 , 548 P.2d 966, 970 (1976); Hughes v. Mahaney & Higgins, 821 S.W.2d 154, 157 (Tex.1991). . 565 So.2d at 1326 . .

2014E.g., Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. Lane, 565 So.2d 1323, 1326 (Fla.1990); United States Nat'l Bank of Oregon v. Davies, 274 Or. 663 , 548 P.2d 966, 970 (1976); Hughes v. Mahaney & Higgins, 821 S.W.2d 154, 157 (Tex.1991). . 565 So.2d at 1326 . .

11
Tush v. Pharrgreen
alaska · 2003 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005Tush v. Pharr, 68 P.3d 1239, 1244 (Alaska 2003) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). 21 .

11
Continental Insurance Co. v. Bayless & Roberts, Inc.green
alaska · 1980 · cited in 1 Alaska opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
2 sentences

1992Co. v. Bayless & Roberts, Inc., 608 P.2d 281, 286 (Alaska 1980).

1992Co. v. Bayless & Roberts, Inc., 608 P.2d 281, 286 (Alaska 1980).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Alaska. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (7)

CaseCitedYears
Beesley v. Van Doren green
alaska · 1994
1 sentence

2025In jurisdictions where it has been adopted, the continuous representation rule tolls statutes of limitations applicable to malpractice claims until the end of the attorney’s representation in the matter in which the alleged malpractice occurred.38 In Wettanen v. Cowper we observed that the continuous representation rule has “much to 36 See Wettanen v. Cowper, 749 P.2d 362, 365 (Alaska 1988); Beesley v. Van Doren, 873 P.2d 1280 , 1283 n.4 (Alaska 1994). 37 Wettanen, 749 P.2d at 365 (quoting Weisberg v. Williams, Connolly & Califano, 390 A.2d 992, 995 (D.C. 1978)). 38 See, e.g., Janicki Logging

12025–2025
Kenneth Arnoult v. Melissa Webster, DMD green
alaska · 2020
1 sentence

2025Equitable estoppel provides that when a party “fraudulently conceals from a plaintiff the existence of a cause of action,” then that party “may be estopped [from pleading] the statute of limitation if the plaintiff’s delay in bringing suit was occasioned by reliance on the false or fraudulent representation.” 62 In other words, equitable estoppel applies when the delay in filing suit is the result of fraud.63 But the policies behind the continuous representation rule — allowing the client to give the attorney a chance to fix the mistake without forgoing a malpractice suit — apply even 59 See g

12025–2025
Goodley v. Wank & Wank, Inc. green
calctapp · 1976
1 sentence

2021Lastly, involuntary assignment of a legal malpractice claim to the client’s litigation adversary, as is sought here, may erode public confidence in the judicial system by “sanctioning an abrupt and shameless shifting of positions.”40 A legal malpractice case generally requires a “trial within a trial”: to prove that the client’s damage was proximately caused by legal malpractice, the client must show that the client’s claim or defense would have been successful but for the attorney’s breach of duty.41 When the 38 Id. (quoting Goodley v. Wank & Wank, Inc., 133 Cal. Rptr. 83 , 87 (Cal. App. 1976

12021–2021
Kracht v. Perrin, Gartland & Doyle green
calctapp · 1990
1 sentence

2021But attorneys already practice in the shadow of potential malpractice claims; our ethics rules, in fact, require attorneys to either maintain 30 Gray, 943 N.W.2d at 625 (quoting Kracht, 268 Cal. Rptr. at 641 n.6). 31 See Gefre v. Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP, 306 P.3d 1264, 1280 (Alaska 2013). 32 Alaska R.

12021–2021
Zuniga v. Groce, Locke & Hebdon green
texapp · 1994
1 sentence

2021Lastly, involuntary assignment of a legal malpractice claim to the client’s litigation adversary, as is sought here, may erode public confidence in the judicial system by “sanctioning an abrupt and shameless shifting of positions.”40 A legal malpractice case generally requires a “trial within a trial”: to prove that the client’s damage was proximately caused by legal malpractice, the client must show that the client’s claim or defense would have been successful but for the attorney’s breach of duty.41 When the 38 Id. (quoting Goodley v. Wank & Wank, Inc., 133 Cal. Rptr. 83 , 87 (Cal. App. 1976

12021–2021
Liggett v. Young green
ind · 2007
1 sentence

2021As is sometimes the case with the common law, the rule has outlived the reason for its creation.”), abrogated on other grounds by Liggett v. Young, 877 N.E.2d 178 (Ind. 2007). 13 Id.; see also Kommavongsa v. Haskell, 67 P.3d 1068, 1072 , 1072 n.2 (Wash. 2003) (noting that state survival statutes and survival rule suggested that legal malpractice claims could be assigned, but recognizing that public policy considerations may dictate a different result); Wagener v. McDonald, 509 N.W.2d 188, 190 (Minn. App. 1993) (“[This court] consider[s] issues of public policy rather than the statutory surviva

12021–2021
Shaw v. State, Department of Administration green
alaska · 1993
2 sentences

1996COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL In Shaw v. State, Department of Administration, 861 P.2d 566 (Alaska 1993) (Shaw II), the court held that a defendant in a legal malpractice claim “may raise the issue of the plaintiffs actual guilt as an affirmative defense.” Id. at 572 .

1996COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL In Shaw v. State, Department of Administration, 861 P.2d 566 (Alaska 1993) (Shaw II), the court held that a defendant in a legal malpractice claim “may raise the issue of the plaintiffs actual guilt as an affirmative defense.” Id. at 572 .

11996–1996

Where else courts name it

TX 301 (1985–2026) NY 248 (1990–2026) IL 199 (1980–2026) OH 158 (1989–2026) NJ 88 (1980–2026) CA 76 (1969–2026) PA 68 (1987–2026) MI 65 (1987–2026) LA 53 (1985–2025) FL 53 (1983–2025) IN 44 (1981–2020) WA 43 (1992–2026) MN 40 (1984–2017) GA 39 (1990–2025) TN 38 (1996–2025) MA 37 (1988–2026) MO 28 (1981–2025) SC 28 (1996–2025) UT 27 (1996–2026) MS 27 (1982–2024) CT 25 (1996–2024) AZ 24 (1984–2026) IA 24 (1989–2026) CO 21 (1995–2025) ID 21 (1995–2026) KS 21 (1990–2026) AL 20 (1982–2025) NM 20 (1997–2025) NV 20 (1996–2025) OR 19 (1988–2025) MT 18 (1995–2026) VA 16 (1988–2026) ME 16 (1996–2020) WI 15 (1991–2025) DC 15 (1990–2024) NC 14 (2003–2022) VT 14 (1992–2025) SD 14 (1983–2023) RI 13 (1997–2017) WY 13 (2002–2026) KY 12 (2007–2024) MD 12 (1995–2024) NE 11 (1995–2026) AK 10 (1992–2025) ND 10 (1990–2024) WV 10 (2003–2021) DE 9 (1996–2025) HI 6 (2001–2026) NH 5 (2010–2019) OK 4 (2000–2025) AR 4 (2003–2025) VI 3 (1991–2014)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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