Horwitz v. Holabird & Root

JUSTICE FREEMAN,

also dissenting:

I respectfully dissent.

The question raised in this appeal is simple: May a client be held vicariously liable for tortious conduct committed by counsel during litigation on the client’s behalf in furtherance of that litigation? The majority holds that a client can only be liable when the client “specifically directed, controlled, or authorized the attorney’s precise method of performing the work or *** subsequently ratified acts performed in the exercise of the attorney’s independent judgment.” 212 Ill. 2d at 14. I believe this position is inconsistent with…