Sentry Select Insurance v. Maybank Law Firm

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court answered two certified questions, holding that an insurer may bring a direct legal‑malpractice action against counsel it hires to defend its insured, but declined to answer whether such a malpractice claim may be assigned to a third‑party payer. The majority limited the insurer’s recovery to the attorney’s breach of duty to the insured and required clear‑and‑convincing proof of causation.