judgmental immunity
Judgmental immunity is an immunity from professional liability claims that lawyers enjoy when they commit errors in judgment during the course of litigation.
Additional Information
Accordingly, an assertion that, for example, a lawyer utilized improper trial tactics or employed what turns out to be an ineffective defense strategy (e.g., allowing a criminal defendant to testify on their own behalf, which may or may not be advantageous, depending upon the circumstances) is generally insufficient to support a cause of action for professional liability. However, judgmental immunity does not shield a lawyer from liability if the errors are so egregious that they clearly fall below the requisite, minimum required standard of care (e.g., failing to call a crucial witness or neglecting to introduce a significant piece of evidence).
