Natl. Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA v. Wuerth

State: Ohio

Docket No: 2008-1334

Case Date: 07/29/2009

Plaintiff: Natl. Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA

Defendant: Wuerth

Preview:[Cite as Natl. Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA v. Wuerth, 122 Ohio St.3d 594, 2009-Ohio3601.]

NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA v. WUERTH ET AL. [Cite as Natl. Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA v. Wuerth, 122 Ohio St.3d 594, 2009-Ohio-3601.] Certified question of state law -- Practice of law -- Vicarious liability for legal malpractice -- Law firm cannot directly commit legal malpractice -- Law firm may be vicariously liable for legal malpractice only when its principals or associates are liable. (No. 2008-1334 -- Submitted March 24, 2009 -- Decided July 29, 2009.) ON ORDER from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Certifying State Law Question, No. 07-4035. __________________ SYLLABUS OF THE COURT 1. A law firm does not engage in the practice of law and therefore cannot directly commit legal malpractice. 2. A law firm may be vicariously liable for legal malpractice only when one or more of its principals or associates are liable for legal malpractice. __________________ O'DONNELL, J. {

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