Ace the JD Next Exam 2026 – Level Up Your Law Journey!

Legal malpractice refers to a lawyer's failure to meet professional standards, which can result in harm to the client. This encompasses situations where the lawyer does not provide competent representation, fails to adhere to the rules of professional conduct, or neglects to act in the client's best interest. When a lawyer's actions—or inactions—fall below the expected standard of care, and this leads to negative consequences for the client, the lawyer may be held liable for malpractice. This concept plays a crucial role in maintaining the trust in the legal profession and ensures that attorneys are held accountable for the quality of their work and their ethical obligations.

The other options, such as fraud committed by lawyers, the process of appealing legal decisions, or lawsuits against government officials, do not encapsulate the definition of legal malpractice. These alternatives highlight different legal issues or concepts but do not specifically address the breach of duty or standard of care associated with legal malpractice.