Michael Sean Quinn, Ph.D, J.D., Etc., Author
Quinn and Quinn
1300 West Lynn #208
Austin, Texas 78703
(o) 512-296-2594
(c) 512-656-0503


I have been observing the problems of lawyers practicing divorce law for a long time.  Here are some of the overarching (or underlying) non-legal principles I think I have learned.  Many of these “principles” are derived from the opinions of practitioners. These are not the sort of principles which are such that if L violates it, s/he is potentially exposed to malpractice liability.  The case law on legal malpractice been set forth elsewhere in many places. The principles sketched here are not “duty-to-client” principles; if they are anything, they are principles of wisdom for honorable self-interest. (Of course, that fact that Quinn believes it and sets forth does not make it true.  Who would ever have thought that?)  

PPP #1 (Malpractice Practice “Doomsday?” )

There is very little probability a divorce lawyer will be “hit” with judgments of malpractice.  In other words, there is very little likelihood that a family lawyer (or any other) will lose a malpractice case.  Here is a speculation:  to the extent that malpractice cases are brought and pursued, they are probably brought more, as the size of the case and/or the amount of the assets, go up.
One reason for this is the well known-requirement that victory in the underlying divorce case must be proved in order to prevail in the malpractice case.
Insurance is needed, of course, but—usually—its most important protection is picking up the tab for legal bills.  (The features, elements, and dangers of malpractice CLE-type lecturing are to induce fear [1])   
“Big-Time” lawyers have slightly more dangers than those who handle smaller cases, but not much. They should have insurance, too.

PPP  #2 (Even Less)

There is almost no chance of losing a cause of action alleging breaches of fiduciary duties against L who is handling a divorce case.   There is a very simple reason for this.[2]  Except under very, very few circumstances (maybe), and at very special times, there is no such thing as spouses owing each other fiduciary duties. [3]   
Conduct, which is a never-actionable breach of fiduciaries by one of the Cs, can substantially affect the division of community property, given the discretionary actions of the trial judge.[4]
A breach of a fiduciary duty action may be brought against a divorce lawyer for mishandling C’s assets and maybe C herself.  (I emphasize the feminine pronoun here for obvious reasons of published legal history.)

PPP # 3


The greatest risk of any assault on L is there being a conflict of interest.  This will arise if L provides anything as miniscule as a bit of advice to ~C and opposing counsel, at least about anything having to do with the case. TxDR 1.6(a) (see also comment on loyalty) Avoid it at all costs; notify C if it happens.  Get C’s permission/authorization in advance.

A Question Regarding PPP #3

What about raising breach of fiduciary duty in the divorce case?
Answer:  It won’t hurt anything, except to make L look a little ignorant.  It is completely unnecessary.  Everything relevant can be proved without it.[5]

PPP #4 (Fraud on Community)


An allegation of “fraud on the community is a different story, even though C’s probability of winning is still lower than in a malpractice case.[6]  If a spouse does this, and gets caught, juries and judges will be outraged 

PPP  # 5

All family lawyers should have lawyer E & O insurance.[7]  Its main use is to pay legal fees.  It may also pay relatively small settlement amounts under its duty to indemnify.  Those kinds of payments will seldom be necessary, as already indicated.  Most legal mal cases, of which there are not many, are resolved for L and against C on motions for summary judgment.
However, there is usually not enough money arising out of lawyer errors in divorce cases to attract the right sort of plaintiffs’ lawyer.  It entails too much work, work too complex, not enough recovery money, not to mention fee-money.[8]
In addition, there is one crucial element in proving injurious lawyer error that makes it extremely difficult to win these cases.

PPP # 6 (Quinn’s List of “Watch Outs”)


           Think at least three times about taking “accursed” clients:  those given to rage,[9] impulsive sneakiness, or addicted to it, those who have sued a lawyer before, those who have sued a lot of anybodies, those who have significant addictions: drugs, alcohol (if very serious), gambling, those who are reluctant about a fairly quick payment system, and so forth—on and on. One may also have serious questions about the systematically sickly. (Consider the following: If something is seriously “wrong with,” “dangerous about,” or “red flag-ish” about H, there will be a corresponding–sometimes opposite, sometimes roughtly the same–characteristic for W, and vice versa.


Consider meditating on the dangers to you of the truly dangerous client.  Your arrogance, hubris and erroneous self-estimate as to handling complex personalities should be canceled or resisted.  There are nothing but temptations.  Be even more careful if you are considering taking a case simply because you need the money.


PPP # 7  (Monetary Temptations)


Under the vast, vast majority of situations of situations, do not sue an ex-client for fees.[10]  Eat the loss.  Recognize the problem.  Investigate the applicant for client-hood. Insist on a retainer.  Insist on a written retainer agreement and get a withdrawal clause in the agreement.  If the prospective client refuses to sign it, don’t take him.  (Watch out even for your mother.)

A Questions Regarding Pleading Response

If L is sued, he certainly must deploy affirmative defenses, counter claims of some sort, even cross actions, and suits to bring others into the case. Granted that Ls should usually not sue Cs fees, does it make sense for unpaid fees be a counter claim or a cross claim?  I don’t see how to avoid it.


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           How does Legal Ethics fit into all this?  Model R1.5?

None of these PPPs are relief from working diligently, focused, and embracing workaholism, if you’re the sort.   Be careful about having no life outside of work.  It will lead you to hating what you do, and that leads not only to personal misery but also to errors. Some types of advising have more to do with the psychology of the practice of lawyers—but these are an integral part or dimension of the ethics of lawyering. These remarks only squash the psychological side of practice. At the same office life can be very meaningful, and it sometimes involved less stress and anxiety than home life.






[1] Not an entirely bad idea.

[2]  Sometimes actions which are hidings are called “fiduciary duties” as a matter of simplicity (I guess although they are not.  In re Marriage of Moore, 890 S.W.2d 821 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1994, no writ).

[3] Remember: there is a huge distance between L’s accusing  his non-client of fiduciary duty breaches  in the divorce, and accusing L of breach of fiduciary duties of his handling of that case and C in the tort case against the lawyer later.

[4] See Mayes v. Stewart, 11 S.W.3d 440 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, pet. denied)

[5] It’s within the realm of ModelR 1.1 and ModelR 1.2.

[6] Admittedly, there is no data about this, except that I have found very few cases where such a cause of action could be brought.  One can imagine it being brought.

[7] For generations it has been called “legal malpractice insurance.”  That location should be dropped.
There are more torts against lawyers than malpractice.

[8] Nothing about these “Practical Practice PPPs” encourages the taking of unreasonable risks. For a “How To” manual of some of these types of activities.

[9] What exhibits itself as rage?   Does this count as rage?   Is there such a thing as concealed or hidden but dangerous rage?