Frequently Asked Questions

Legal malpractice insurance, also known as professional liability insurance for attorneys, provides financial protection when clients allege that your legal services caused them harm. It covers defense costs, settlements, and judgments arising from claims of negligence, errors in legal advice, missed deadlines, conflicts of interest, and breach of fiduciary duty.

Yes, and solo practitioners often face the highest relative risk. Without partner review or institutional oversight, solo attorneys carry full responsibility for every matter. A single malpractice claim can threaten personal assets and your ability to continue practicing. Many state bars and courts also require proof of malpractice insurance or disclosure of its absence to clients.

Cyber liability insurance covers both first-party losses (data recovery, business interruption, notification expenses, ransom payments) and third-party claims (defense costs against affected clients, regulatory fines, settlements). For law firms, this is critical because you hold sensitive client data including financial records, litigation strategies, and personal information.

Premiums vary based on several factors including your practice area, firm size, claims history, coverage limits, and deductible. We work with multiple A-rated carriers to find you the most competitive rates. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific situation.

A claims-made policy covers claims made during the policy period, regardless of when the incident occurred (subject to the retroactive date). An occurrence policy covers incidents that occur during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed. Most legal malpractice policies are claims-made, which makes your retroactive date and tail coverage (extended reporting periods) important considerations.

If your firm has any employees -- attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, or summer associates -- EPLI coverage is strongly recommended. Law firms face unique employment risks due to high-stress environments, complex partnership dynamics, billable hour pressures, and competitive lateral hiring practices. The average defense cost for an EPLI claim through trial exceeds $200,000.

Prior acts coverage (also called nose coverage) extends your current policy to cover claims arising from professional services you performed before your policy's inception date. This is essential when switching insurance carriers or starting a new practice. Without prior acts coverage, you could be exposed to claims for work done under a previous policy that has since expired.

If you become aware of a potential claim or receive notice of a lawsuit, contact your insurance carrier immediately. Most policies require prompt notification, and delays can jeopardize your coverage. Our team at Professional Services Liability Group can assist you through the claims process and help coordinate with your carrier to ensure a smooth response.

We provide coverage for attorneys in virtually every practice area including criminal defense, family law, corporate law, litigation, immigration, estate planning, intellectual property, real estate, personal injury, health law, labor and employment, and more. Each practice area has unique risk profiles, and our policies are tailored accordingly.

Absolutely. We work with attorneys at every stage of their career, including those launching new practices. We can help you understand the coverage requirements for your jurisdiction, select appropriate limits, and find competitive rates even without an established claims history. Contact us for a free consultation.