Circle Chevrolet Company, a New Jersey Corporation, and Thomas J. Defelice, Sr., Plaintiffs-Appellants v. Giordano…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed that the entire controversy doctrine bars a client’s legal‑malpractice claim against its attorney even when the attorney is still representing the client in the underlying action, holding that the claim accrued under the discovery rule in March 1988. The Court rejected Circle’s arguments that the claim had not yet accrued or that the doctrine should not apply, and it found no justification for excusing the failure to join the malpractice claim. Justice Stein dissented, arguing that fairness required an exception in this case.