LEGAL malpractice, sometimes also known as lawyers' professional liability, refers to wrongdoings by attorneys in the course of performing legal services which result in civil liability. There are three major areas in which legal malpractice may occur: 1) negligent actions; 2) breach of contract between lawyer and client; and 3) breaches of fiduciary duty (negligent financial practices in handling clients' money). Specific types of legal malpractice include tampering with or concealing evidence, negligent advice to clients, giving legal opinions to third parties, assisting others in committing crimes, misrepresentations of professional credentials, accepting illegal money and plagiarism of legal documents.