Protect the practice you built.
Legal malpractice coverage for solo attorneys, small and mid-size firms, across litigation, transactional, real estate, family and estate planning practices.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Claims-made coverage for your practice
Lawyers professional liability pays defense costs and damages when a client claims your legal work fell short: a missed deadline, a conflict, or advice that led to a loss. It's written on a claims-made basis, so prior-acts coverage and retroactive dates matter when you change carriers.
California's Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4.2 requires lawyers without professional liability insurance to tell their clients in writing. I shop lawyers professional liability with carriers that write California firms, along with cyber and office coverage.
- Professional liabilityClaims from errors in your legal services.
- Defense costsAttorneys' fees, inside or outside the limit.
- Disciplinary defenseState Bar complaints, on many policies.
- Prior acts and tailCoverage for past work and after retirement.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Firm: number of attorneys and years in practice.
- Practice areas: percentage of work in each.
- Revenue: annual billings.
- Controls: docketing, conflict checks and engagement letters.
- Coverage now: carrier, limits and retroactive date.
- History: claims and disciplinary matters.
Lawyers professional liability, answered
Is malpractice insurance required for California lawyers?
It isn't mandatory, but Rule 1.4.2 requires lawyers who don't carry it to disclose that to clients in writing.
What is a retroactive date?
The date before which prior work isn't covered. Keeping your retroactive date when you change carriers preserves coverage for past work.
Do real estate and estate planning practices cost more?
Some practice areas carry more claims, and carriers price them accordingly.
What do underwriters rate on?
Practice areas, firm size, billings, risk controls, limits and claims history.
Do you offer lawyers professional liability insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send your current policy. I'll shop it.
Your firm size, practice areas and current declarations page are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.