CT - Judge Says Lawyers Can Face 'Emotional Distress' Damages in Professional Malpractice Lawsuits

The following was published on September 28, 2015 in The Connecticut Law Tribune. While the original case which resulted in this ruling originated as an automobile accident - the basis might/ could be used in Family Court where we see lawyers fail to represent their clients.

CT Law Tribune

A judge's recent ruling in a legal malpractice case against a Madison attorney allows a former client's claim of negligent infliction of emotional distress to remain, a decision which some in the legal malpractice defense field call "troubling."

Sharon Burns of North Haven sued her former lawyer, Ira Grudberg, in Superior Court in New Haven in 2014, asserting he failed to properly represent her in litigation which arose from an automobile accident.

In December 2014, Burns filed a four-count complaint against Grudberg. The first count, which claims legal malpractice, alleges Grudberg was negligent for failing to respond to discovery requests and for representing Burns when he knew he lacked the resources or time to do so diligently. The litigation also claimed breach of contract, violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Full story: CT Law Tribune.

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CT - Judicial critics opposing Connecticut justice renomination

WTNH News 8

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Critics of Connecticut’s judicial system are gearing up to oppose the reappointment of Chase Rogers as the chief justice of the State Supreme Court.

Upset with operations at the family, foreclosure and probate courts, activists were expected to turn out for Rogers’ confirmation hearing on Friday before the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. More than 200 detractors have signed an online petition, urging lawmakers to oppose her reappointment to a second eight-year term.

“Chief State Justice Rogers has failed our state and its citizens, families and children by presiding over and encouraging the operation of a court system which is operationally dysfunctional and unnecessarily antiquated, costly, time consuming and unlawfully political,” reads the petition posted on change.org.

One group, the Coalition for Connecticut Family Court Reform, has rented billboard space referring to Rogers. It also calls for passage of legislation this session that would impose changes on the family court system, including prohibiting the court from ordering supervised visitation except in certain circumstances and removing the immunity provided to guardians ad litem and attorneys for minors.

Despite the opposition, Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is standing by Rogers, who was first appointed chief justice in 2007 by former Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

“We have opted to reappoint the Chief Justice — she has our full confidence as she continues to move the Judicial branch forward,” read a statement issued by Malloy’s administration.

Full story: WTNH News 8


Related to this is the Judiciary Committee reappointment of the Hon Patricia Worth in Maine. There was considerable opposition to her appointment as well as the suggestion the state conducts an audit of her court to determine whether or not there are issues. She was renominated by a vote of 13 yea to 0 nay.