Tom McGarry Quoted in Cook County Record Article on Spike in Legal Malpractice Suits

November 4, 2016

Thomas P. McGarry, a Chicago-based partner and member of the Lawyers for the Profession® group at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, was quoted extensively in the article, "Attorney says spike in legal malpractice suits has roots in economic struggles," published by the Cook County Record on October 24, 2016.

The article discusses the American Bar Association (ABA) report "Profile of Legal Malpractice Claims 2012-15," and its analysis of legal malpractice claims in that time period. The report, using data from insurers, shows that legal malpractice claims have increased nationally since 2011 which reflects a still struggling economy as settlements are more likely to avoid expensive judgments. Mr. McGarry is quoted as saying, "There can be a tendency for Big Law to settle because when they get hit with a mistake, it can be very costly." Mr. McGarry further said the nation's economic troubles are reflected in the rankings of the ABA report, which show the most legal malpractice claims being made in the categories of personal injury, real estate, family law, trusts and estates, and bankruptcy and collections.

Read the full article, "Attorney says spike in legal malpractice suits has roots in economic struggles," on the Cook County Record website.

Thomas McGarry is a veteran trial lawyer. His civil litigation practice emphasizes the defense of professionals in federal and state courts and disciplinary agencies. For more than 30 years, Mr. McGarry has focused on representing lawyers and lawyers' professional liability insurers.

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S.-based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm's national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, professional services, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw provides holistic legal solutions—from litigation and dispute resolution, and business advisory and transactional services, to regulatory compliance—for clients of all sizes. Visit www.hinshawlaw.com for more information and follow @Hinshaw on LinkedIn and X.