Don't want to get sued for legal malpractice? Here's one over-lawyerly solution: Don't hire lateral partners.

A survey of legal malpractice insurers states that conflicts of interests, often brought about because of lateral recruits, are the most common claim for malpractice suits.

But for those who don't live in absolutes and instead want some practical business advice—and isn't that what all good lawyers offer?—the survey conducted by insurance broker Ames & Gough also provided pointers about adding laterals without the headache.