A Philadelphia judge has blocked efforts by a Pennsylvania lawyer to dismiss a legal malpractice suit over the attorney's alleged failure to properly put a New Jersey housing authority on notice about a slip-and-fall claim.

The ruling, which came down late last month, in Milberry v. Altman, affirmed a recent summary judgment decision allowing the claims of plaintiff Rhonda Milberry to proceed to trial. In denying the defendant Craig Altman's motion for reconsideration of the initial summary judgment denial, Judge Jacqueline Allen also ruled Feb. 25 that, as a matter of law, the lawyer breached his duty to the client by failing to adhere to New Jersey's Tort Claims Act.