In most states, an attorney may be liable for negligence to a non-client who the attorney knows or reasonably should know will rely on the attorney's opinion.

An attorney may be held liable for negligence to a non-client if the attorney is aware, or should reasonably be aware, that the non-client will rely on the attorney's work or opinion. This is particularly true in cases where the attorney's work is intended to benefit or influence the non-client, such as in the preparation of documents like wills or real estate transactions where third parties may rely on the attorney's diligence and accuracy.