May 09, 2005

It sounds as if many Michigan malpractice lawyers haven't been doing so, with respect to the use of out-of-state notaries in executing certificates of merit to support their cases, and if the MichMedMal blogger (Apr. 21, citing this PDF decision) is correct in his/her estimation, the consequences could be drastic in the extreme for many of the lawyers' clients, who could be thrown out of court with prejudice for their lawyers' mistakes. If so, how many of them will have valid causes of action for legal malpractice? More: Brian Dickerson of the Detroit Free Press discusses the case and notes that organized defense lawyers in Michigan, as well as those for plaintiffs, are seeking reversal. Update Jul. 17: court has vacated its ruling (see MMM, Jun. 3).