Metcalfe v. Waters

OPINION

ANDERSON, Chief Justice.

We granted this appeal to determine whether the Court of Appeals erred in reversing the jury’s verdict awarding punitive damages in this legal malpractice action. The appeals court held that punitive damages were improper because the defendant’s malpractice did not constitute intentional, fraudulent, malicious or reckless conduct and because the defendant’s efforts to conceal his actions were not contemporaneous with his malpractice. The court affirmed the jury’s verdict as to liability, but reversed the jury’s verdict as to compensatory damages because it was…