Patterson v. Swarr, May, Smith & Anderson

Complaining that the trial court erred in granting the defendant lawyers a new trial, the appellants, Ronald Patterson and his wife, Carol Patterson, request that this court reinstate a $1,114,600 legal malpractice jury verdict in their favor.

In their petition, the Pattersons alleged that the defendant attorneys negligently represented them in their chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

After the jury verdict was returned, the district court for Douglas County granted a new trial because of Ronald Patterson’s testimonial reference to the defendants’ having insurance.

By cross-appeal, the…