Professional Liability

As a cross-over with our construction practice, our firm routinely handles design defect, errors and omissions, building code compliance, land surveying, and scheduling disputes for architects, engineers, and various design subconsultants in the construction industry. Notably, we serve as general counsel to one of the region’s largest architectural and design firms, whose projects span the country. Our attorneys have extensive and specialized experience in defending design professionals in both state and federal courts, as well as arbitration tribunals where construction and design claims arise.

Leake attorneys have extensive experience representing registered representatives, registered investment advisers and other financial advisory professionals in both litigation and regulatory matters arising out of alleged sales practices violations, improper investment advice, securities fraud, and similar issues. We regularly represent such professionals in customer disputes across the country in FINRA arbitration, state and federal courts and AAA arbitration. We also provide advice and representation to professionals in regulatory inquiries, cause exams and other investigations conducted by FINRA, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and other related entities.

Leake professional liability attorneys regularly represent insurance agents and brokers in professional liability claims arising from the placement of coverage, servicing of policies, coverage options, disclosures, and other related issues. We have significant experience in handling claims related to property, casualty, life and health policies, as well as surety claims. We also represent agents and brokers in administrative and regulatory matters before the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Our senior lawyers have long represented attorneys and law firms both at their direct request and upon referral by insurers in defense of legal malpractice pre-suit claims and litigation where attorneys’ actions have been alleged to fall below the standard of care. Our experience includes handling allegations of failure to provide competent representation, conflicts of interest, fraud, misrepresentation, untimely filings under the respective prescriptive period (i.e., statute of limitations), and unethical behavior.

Healthcare providers that offer proper medical care often find themselves on the wrong side of a lawsuit when a patient experiences an adverse event during the course of treatment. Our team understands the complexities of these cases and steadfastly protects the reputations and careers of medical providers through both the administrative and civil aspects of medical malpractice claims, including the nuances of the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act and the Medical Review Panel process. An effective defense involves thorough case preparation, gathering relevant evidence, and engaging with medical experts to bolster the healthcare provider’s position.

We represent physicians, hospitals, clinics, dermatologists, pharmacies, nursing homes, and other independent and assisted living facilities throughout the state. As a result, we are adept and seasoned at defending claims involving patient neglect and mistreatment, mis-prescription, failure to supervise, premises liability, and general negligence regarding breach of the standard of care, medical misdiagnosis, an unforeseeable medical event, or a known but undisclosed risk of harm.

Sexual misconduct claims are matters of particular public interest and often garner media and other scrutiny. Our firm defends individuals, companies, religious groups, insurers and others against sexual abuse and misconduct claims arising in employment, educational, religious organization, and other contexts. We also counsel clients on employment practices, personnel matters, reporting requirements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations in this area. We have extensive experience with insurance policies and coverage relayed to sexual misconduct claims.