Our lawyers represent accountants in malpractice and negligence actions, as well as a wide variety of other actions brought against professionals and professional services firms. Our experience in handling such claims across the country allows us to assess and develop an appropriate strategy for any case from the beginning with a comprehensive understanding of the variations of state law.
We have successfully represented clients in cases brought by each of the different kinds of plaintiffs who bring professional liability suits against accountants and other professionals. We have represented clients in cases brought by their former clients, bankruptcy trustees, insurance liquidators, shareholders (in derivative suits and otherwise), creditors, investors, insurers and a host of others who claim to have relied on our clients’ work.
Sidley’s clients regularly prevail in such cases – both on dispositive motions and at trial – not only because Sidley defends the quality of the work of our client, but also because Sidley aggressively pursues such plaintiffs on key defense issues including privity, causation, reliance, imputation, contributory fault, deepening insolvency and applicable statutes of limitations. For example, our lawyers recently tried a malpractice case brought by a liquidating trust. After two and a half weeks, our client prevailed on all counts. We also have been successful in preparing for early mediations, where our experience allows us to identify and focus quickly on the facts that are most helpful to our clients’ position. We have achieved very favorable outcomes at every stage of the process.
In addition to handling claims arising out of audit engagements, Sidley has represented clients in litigation arising out of review engagements, engagements involving financial projections, tax work, valuation engagements and management consulting engagements.
