Kevin - I disagree with you somewhat on what is expected by the general public regarding the legal field.  Even though not an attorney, my many years as a paralegal, I think I have adequate experience in the field to make a comment.  I think the general public doesn't expect an attorney to be completely flawless.  Every day an attorney forgets to file a real estate paper and it is left in the file - this type of mistake can be corrected and is eventually.  I think what the general public cannot tolerate is an attorney who "knowingly" fails to defend a position of a client and it happens every day.  There is more political bs in the field today then needs to be and because of this, justice is not being served in many cases.  Too many legal scholars "think" they know that the person is lying, etc. - so they make exceptions to bringing the truth into the courtroom.  That is why we are finding out our convicted murders really didn't do the crime.  Because someone along the way made an exception to something.  It is only with truth that true justice can be served.  Other than that, any mistake made by an attorney that can be corrected is not viewed by the general public as bad.  And if it cannot be corrected, then a claim is filed on E&O just like any other insurance.  I agree with everyone else, things do happen - the only attorneys I know that were fired were ones that were also disbarred for ethical violations - not for mere mistakes.