Vahila v. Hall
Ohio Supreme Court
77 Ohio St. 3d 421, 674 N.E.2d 1164 (1997)
- Written by Rose VanHofwegen, JD
Facts
Attorneys Charles D. Hall III, Ralph F. Dublikar, and the law firm of Baker, Meekison & Dublikar (defendants) represented Terry and James Vahila and Vahila Insurance Agency (collectively, the Vahilas) (plaintiffs) in connection with an Ohio Insurance Department investigation. Ultimately the Vahilas sued for legal malpractice alleging the attorneys (1) made negligent misrepresentations in civil, criminal, and administrative matters related to the investigation and (2) agreed to settlement arrangements and advised Terry Vahila to enter plea bargains without fully explaining the consequences. The trial court granted summary judgment for the attorneys, reasoning that the Vahilas had not established they would have prevailed in the underlying proceedings but for the attorneys’ negligence. After the appellate court affirmed, the Vahilas appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Douglas, J.)
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