Barth v. Reagan

This appeal raises an issue of first impression in this court: When must a plaintiff in a legal malpractice action present expert testimony to establish the cause of action?

Plaintiff, Barbara G. Barth, brought this legal malpractice action against defendant, James J. Reagan, in the circuit court of Lake County. Plaintiff sought damages for the loss of equity in certain parcels of real property that resulted from defendant’s allegedly negligent defense in foreclosure actions involving the parcels. Following a jury verdict in plaintiff’s favor, the trial court entered judgment on the verdict in…