by Christopher Graham and Joseph Kelly

The Mississippi Supreme Court recently reversed a $103 million legal malpractice verdict against Baker & McKenzie, LLP and Baker attorney Joel Held and remanded for a new trial on proximate cause and damages. See Baker & McKenzie, LLP, et al v. Evans, et al, Case No. 2011-CA-01110-SCT (Oct. 17, 2013)

Lavon Evans and his companies obtained a verdict against Baker & McKenzie and Held in 2010 for, collectively, $103 million.

The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the firm and Held’s liability for conflict of interest and breach of fiduciary duty but reversed the verdict and remanding for a new trial on proximate cause and damages because of faulty jury instructions.

Tags: Mississippi, legal malpractice, conflict of interest, proximate cause