Pettit Kohn Obtains Summary Judgement on Behalf of Attorney and Law Firm Client in Legal Malpractice Action

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz and Dolin litigation attorneys Douglas A. Pettit and Liberty G. Bonanno successfully obtained summary judgement in San Diego County – Central Division Superior Court on behalf of an attorney and law firm client.

Plaintiff brought a lawsuit alleging legal malpractice arising from the Defendants’ representation in an underlying Lemon Law action. The Plaintiff claimed to have suffered damages in connection with the defendants’ alleged conduct during the representation, including allegations concerning unpaid legal fees.

Ms. Bonanno prepared the motion and delivered the oral argument. The argument focused on the fact that the claim was barred by the applicable one-year statute of limitations.

Ms. Bonanno argued that the one-year statute of limitations began to run when Defendants filed a Motion to Withdraw from representing their client because the client had no reasonable basis to believe the attorney would continue providing legal services. While filing a Motion to Withdraw does not establish a bright-line rule for termination of representation, the communications between the parties before and after the motion was filed sufficiently established that the representation had ended.

The Court granted the Motion for Summary Judgment, holding that the action was barred by the one-year statute of limitations.

About Douglas A. Pettit

Douglas A. Pettit is a shareholder in the San Diego office.  He has been recognized by Best Lawyers for his work in Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants and Commercial Litigation. This year, he added Bet-the-Company Litigation as an area of recognition.  Doug has also been previously recognized as Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants (2015, 2018, 2023, 2025) as well as Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants (2024). Mr. Pettit has extensive trial and litigation experience and has achieved an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards.  He is also an Associate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), having tried over 50 cases to verdict in California.  In addition, he has been selected for inclusion in the San Diego Super Lawyers® list every year since 2007 and was recognized as one of Super Lawyers’ Top 10 attorneys in San Diego from 2015-2016 and 2023-2024.

About Liberty G. Bonnano

Liberty G. Bonanno is an associate attorney in Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin’s San Diego Office. She focuses her practice on professional liability and business litigation matters, representing a wide range of professionals against claims of malpractice and intentional torts. Liberty received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law, with a concentration in Civil Litigation. During law school, Liberty served as a Comment Editor on the San Diego International Law Journal, the Secretary of the Trial Attorneys of USD, and was a member of the Women’s Law Caucus and Business Law Society. In addition, Liberty studied international arbitration and business dealings abroad at Kings College of Law in London, United Kingdom.

About Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC is a leading AV-rated, full-service trial firm with expertise in litigating and resolving civil matters in both state and federal courts. The firm represents clients in the areas of Appellate, Business Litigation, Community Association Litigation, Employment & Labor, Ethics & State Bar Defense, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Real Estate Litigation, Restaurant & Hospitality, Retail, Toxic Tort, Transactional & Business Services, Transportation, and Trial & Civil Litigation. Clients include large and mid-sized corporations, privately held businesses, institutions, and individuals. Pettit Kohn practices throughout California and Arizona. Learn more about the firm at www.pettitkohn.com.