Divorce Support Forums: Anyone ever sue an attorney?

Hi All - I have a question on behalf of a friend. I'm pretty angry at what she's gone through, and I blame a lot of it on her lawyer(s).

Cliff note version of her situation: Married 5 years, emotionally abused, became physically & mentally disabled in 2006 - ie cannot work. In early 2007, she kicks STBX out of house. He harasses her, until she allows him back into the guest apartment. But she becomes so terrified of him, that she leaves the house, moves 2 hours away last June.

STBX lost his job in December 2006, and has been "fuzzy" as to whether or not he has worked since. HE was highly paid - like $200 - $300k per year for last 5 years. Soon after STBX lost job, he cut off all her access to any joint bank accounts or credit cards. They refinanced their house, taking out essentially all the equity, and that money just "disappeared." All through 2007, she survived by getting a line of credit from a banker that knew her, selling all her jewelry and furniture, borrowing from friends, and I do think he gave her some $$ here and there, but certainly not enough to survive on.

She has been speaking to lawyers since March of 2007. They kept passing her case around the firm, because after giving them her last $2,000, she could no longer afford to pay. She just got divorce papers, which these "lawyers" advised her to sign. They basically assign her no spousal support, no assets, and significant debt.

This man does have assets. She found evidence that he was funnelling earnings she knew nothing about into separate accounts over the years. He has shown no reduction in standard of living since he lost his job.

SO now we get to my question: Her lawyers never filed anything to try to even grant her temporary support. They are refusing to take her case to court, because she cannot pay. Can she sue these jerks for taking her money and not even bothering to go through the motions??

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