Legal Opinion
Needham v. Hamilton
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Decided April 12, 1983No. 81-481PublishedCited by 54 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
NEBEKER, Associate Judge:
Robert C. Needham brought a legal malpractice suit against the appellees based upon their admitted negligence in the drafting of a will which resulted in Needham’s being denied the extent of the estate the testatrix intended that he take. The trial court ruled that because Needham had not himself contracted for the drafting of the will, his lack of privity barred the action. Appellees’ motion to dismiss was, therefore, granted. We hold that the requirement of privity does not extend to a malpractice suit brought by the intended beneficiary of a will against the…
2Cases cited19 opinions
- Ultramares Corp. v. ToucheNew York Court of Appeals · 1931
- Glanzer v. . ShepardNew York Court of Appeals · 1922
- Lucas v. HammCalifornia Supreme Court · 1961
- Savings Bank v. WardSupreme Court of the United States · 1880
- Heyer v. FlaigCalifornia Supreme Court · 1969
14 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by54 opinions
- Harad, Charles A. And the Home Insurance Company v. The Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, and Catania, Francis JCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 1988
- Barcelo v. ElliottTexas Supreme Court · 1996
- Simpson v. CalivasSupreme Court of New Hampshire · 1994
- Krawczyk v. StingleSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1988
- Duggan v. KetoDistrict of Columbia Court of Appeals · 1989
49 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.