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An attorney can be liable for the plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees in a legal malpractice action if the attorney intentionally breached his fiduciary duty as trustee and escrow agent, even though the attorney was not acting as the plaintiff’s attorney.

The plaintiff and his former spouse (a citizen of Spain) were in a contested divorce proceeding for custody of their daughter, a dual citizen of the United States and Spain. Case Law Alerts, 3rd Quarter, July 2016

Western District of Pennsylvania admonishes later filing of a parallel state court proceeding as “improper act of procedural fencing.”

The insurer for a law firm in Western Pennsylvania filed a federal action under the Declaratory Judgment Act, seeking a determination by the court as to whether coverage was owed for underlying claims of legal malpractice, breach of contract and b Case Law Alerts, 3rd Quarter, July 2016

Police officer didn’t commit willful misconduct and he is entitled to indemnification by the city under PA Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, but it does not absolve him from liability for assault, battery, false imprisonment/arrest claims.

A Philadelphia police officer was sued in state court for assault, battery and false imprisonment arising out of his actions in striking and arresting the plaintiff during an encounter involving the plaintiff’s son. Case Law Alerts, 3rd Quarter, July 2016