What characterizes "legal malpractice"?

Legal malpractice is characterized by the failure to provide adequate representation to a client, which can lead to harm or loss suffered by that client as a result of substandard legal services. This concept is rooted in the attorney-client relationship, where an attorney has a duty to uphold certain standards of professionalism and competence. If an attorney fails to meet these standards—whether through negligence, lack of knowledge, or failure to act in a timely manner—it can constitute malpractice.

A successful defense in court does not indicate malpractice because it implies that the attorney performed their duties well and achieved a favorable outcome for the client. Providing excessive legal advice could suggest overstepping boundaries but does not align with the definition of neglect or failure to represent adequately. Similarly, offering free legal services, while honorable in some contexts, does not directly relate to the concept of legal malpractice, as the quality of representation can still be an issue independent of whether the services were paid for or not.