Experienced Detroit legal malpractice law firms like Sommers Schwartz understand the rules and standards that apply to lawyers in different circumstances. What follows is a brief outline on protecting yourself from a growing trend—clients suing their lawyers for legal malpractice.Selection of the Client. Legal malpractice cases are two cases in one. You must prove that your attorney exhibited negligence while handling your case. To make a legal malpractice claim, your lawyer must have been negligent, or breached the ABA (American Bar Association) rules of professional conduct. First of all, you can't sanction opposing counsel, only the Court can "sanction. " Next, you don't "have" the preponderance of evidence. If you feel your attorney isn't working in your best interests, you may be able to file a legal malpractice claim. An action for legal malpractice against an attorney-at-law or a law firm shall not be commenced after whichever of the following is earlier.