Professional Services and Malpractice

Porter Hedges lawyers defend the interests and reputations of professionals in virtually every field. As professionals ourselves, we understand what is at stake. Health care professionals, accountants, lawyers, broker/dealers, architects, and engineers are often the targets of lawsuits because plaintiffs presume they have “deep pockets.” But even teachers, professors, and clergy can be accused of negligence, allegations that may not involve substantial damage awards but which may still shatter careers.

We understand all the issues that clients face, from insurance coverage questions to ethics reviews, and have the technical insight to deal with the complexity of medical and engineering issues. If the best resolution is settlement, we will craft one that is advantageous to our client. If it's necessary to go to arbitration or to court, we'll are vigorous advocates.

Efficient and Skilled Case Management

We are adept at working with professional liability insurers and provide solid value through the efficient use of your time and financial resources while still delivering results. We also have an excellent track record of favorably resolving complex multi-party disputes through dismissal, summary disposition, or creative settlements. We strive to end claims before incurring the significant costs of protracted discovery that usually accompany professional malpractice litigation.

Administrative Compliance, Proceedings and Investigation

Our attorneys are versed in rules and regulations governing professional practice and represent professionals in achieving compliance and in answering suggestions of non-compliance. We assist professionals during the course of licensing board investigations and in criminal and fraud investigations, including those by the U.S. Department of Justice and the F.B.I.

Avoiding Litigation Through Business Planning

Litigation for professional service providers are often the result of business disputes. Because it is always preferable to avoid litigation if possible, we assist professional service providers with careful business counsel. Our corporate, employment, intellectual property, real estate, and tax attorneys help set up your professional service business properly and keep it running smoothly. Our multi-state practices frequently form professional business entities, handle mergers and acquisitions, create and help enforce employments policies, protect intellectual property rights, and assist with office leasing. Our attorneys create families of contracts for firms and assist in reviewing and preparing the complex contracts in use today. Our counsel and advice often leads to resolving issues before they grow into formal claims.

Broad Professional Services Experience

Among the many types of professional services litigation in which our attorneys are thoroughly experienced are the following:

• Defending architect and engineering firms in lawsuits involving delay claims, malpractice allegations, design disputes and wrongful death claims, as well as in disciplinary actions before state licensing boards.
• Defending lawyers against allegations ranging from professional negligence to criminal tax fraud.
• Defending physicians, nurses, dentists and health care provider organizations in lawsuits alleging malpractice.
• Representing broker/dealers and investment advisors in federal court and before arbitration panels of the American Arbitration Association, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and the New York Stock Exchange.