Woman sues attorney for legal malpractice

HUNTINGTON -- A woman is suing her former attorney for legal malpractice.

On Feb. 20, 2008, Rachel Doneff was incarcerated in the holding facility in the Cabell County Sheriff's Department and, along with other prisoners, was being moved from the Sheriff's Department to the courthouse for the purpose of appearing before the Cabell Circuit Court concerning criminal charges pending against them, according to a complaint filed Jan. 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Doneff claims while she and the other prisoners were being moved, one of the guards made remarks to her of a sexual nature and otherwise engaged in sexual harassment and then shoved her.

When she was shoved, Doneff fell to the floor and was injured, according to the suit.

Doneff claims she employed Joseph F. Adams to represent her in a lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department and the Cabell County Commission.

On Feb. 20, 2010, Adams negligently allowed the limitation period for Doneff's claims expire without filing suit, according to the suit.

Doneff is seeking compensatory damages with interest. She is being represented by Larry O. Ford.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul T. Farrell.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 12-C-27