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Professional Liability Blog

We explore and analyze current issues and relevant topics to help accountants, attorneys, architects and engineers, insurance agents and real estate brokers avoid a professional liability case.

Professional Liability Blog
January 7, 2019

The “Tripartite” Relationship and an Insurer’s Right to Sue Panel Counsel: Part 2, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas

Following a post on the case of Sentry Select Ins. Co. v. Maybank Law Firm, LLC, – S.E2d –, 2018 WL 2423694 (S.C. 2018) regarding tripartite relationships, this article provides a brief overview of how Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas address the “tripartite” relationship between an insurer, its insured, and panel. Over the years, the tripartite relationship has taken on added significance with the prevalence of insured claims and the desire of insurers and insureds alike to safeguard their right to obtain the best possible legal services from their panel counsel.

Professional Liability Blog
November 1, 2018

The “Tripartite” Relationship and an Insurers Right to Sue Panel Counsel

Summary: This article provides a brief overview of the “tripartite” relationship between an insurer, its insured, and panel counsel and the theories under which a direct action can be brought by the insurer against panel counsel for legal malpractice. The “tripartite” relationship refers to the relationship among an insurer, its insured and defense counsel retained by the insurer to defend the insured. Panel counsel are familiar with the “tripartite” relationship and the ethical and professional concerns that it entails.