Opinion ID: 1267344
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Is venue proper in more than one county?

Text: The central issue in this case is whether a cause of action in a legal malpractice suit can accrue in more than one county for purposes of establishing venue. The plain language of W. Va.Code, 56-1-1(a)(1) [1986] does not limit the venue to one county but provides at least two possible justifications for proper venue: either the residence of the defendants or where the cause of action arose. See supra section II for text of W. Va.Code, 56-1-1(a)(1) [1986]. Subsection (b) of the statute allows for the transfer of venue when venue is based on where the cause of action arose under subsection (a), thereby recognizing that venue is proper in more than one county. See note 3 for text of W. Va.Code, 56-1-1(b) [1986]. In contract cases, this Court recognized that venue may arise in more than one county because the elements of a contract case are divisible. Syllabus point 3 of Wetzel County Savings and Loan Co. v. Stern Bros. Inc., 156 W.Va. 693, 195 S.E.2d 732 (1973) states: The venue of a cause of action in a case involving breach of contract in West Virginia arises within the county: (1) in which the contract was made, that is, where the duty came into existence; or (2) in which the breach or violation of the duty occurs; or (3) in which the manifestation of the breachsubstantial damage occurs. In Wetzel County, we discussed the transitory nature of contracts and recognized that a cause of action may consist of more than one element and that these elements may occur severally and in different geographical locations. Wetzel County Savings and Loan Co. v. Stern Bros., 156 W. Va. at 698, 195 S.E.2d at 736. Based on the plain language of W. Va.Code, 56-1-1(a) [1986], we find that venue of a cause of action in a legal malpractice case in West Virginia arises within the county: (1) where the defendants reside; and (2), where the cause of action or a part of the cause of action arose. We note that in a legal malpractice case, the cause of action can arise in more that one county because portions of the conduct relating to the alleged legal malpractice can occur in more than one county. When a cause of action is divisible, then venue is proper where any portion of the conduct relating to the cause of action arose. Although a legal malpractice suit is a tort and not an action in contract, the elements necessary to prevail in a legal malpractice action are divisible. [5] A plaintiff is required to prove: (1) the attorney's employment; (2) the attorney's neglect of a reasonable duty; and (3) that such negligence resulted in and was the proximate cause of loss to the client. Keister v. Talbott, 182 W.Va. 745, 748-49, 391 S.E.2d 895, 898-99 (1990) (citations omitted). Using Wetzel County as our guide, we find that venue arises in a legal malpractice action: (1) where the attorney's employment is contracted, that is, where the duty came into existence; or (2) where the breach or violation of the duty occurs; or (3) where the manifestation of the breachsubstantial damageoccurs. Mr. and Mrs. McGuire argue that venue is proper in Monongalia County because the breach of the attorney's duty occurred in both Monongalia and Ohio Counties, based on the communications between the parties, which occurred in both counties. In addition, venue in Monongalia County is proper because substantial damages were incurred when the McGuires lost the opportunity to litigate their suit and the resulting injuries to the McGuires occurred there. [6] See Tucker v. Fianson, 484 So.2d 1370 (Fla. App.1986) (holding that venue was proper, in a legal malpractice case, in the district where the plaintiff suffered injury, which includes where the economic damage was done). In conclusion, we agree with the Florida District Court of Appeals in Tucker v. Fianson , because while Mr. Fitzsimmons' employment began in Ohio County, the alleged legal malpractice had no effect until the McGuires were damaged in Monongalia County by the failure to file timely the underlying medical malpractice suit. C.