Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Attorney George D’Angelo represented the mother of Lisa Markley in her divorce proceeding and developed a close relationship with Markley that began when she was a child. D’Angelo, who established himself as a surrogate father figure to Markley, provided legal services to her regarding inheritance and financial matters over several decades. Markley later obtained new counsel, however, and obtained third-party records disclosing that D’Angelo had allegedly misappropriated and squandered more than a million dollars of Markley’s inheritance and assets.

Markley sued D’Angelo, alleging negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and breach of contract. Among other things, the plaintiff asserted that the defendant had taken fees that were unauthorized and unethical.

The jury awarded $600,000.

Citation: Markley v. Law Offices of D’Angelo, No. 170600611 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Phila. Cty. Apr. 23, 2021).

Plaintiff counsel: Andrew W. Barbin, Mechanicsburg, Pa.