Legal malpractice occurs when a lawyer fails to competently perform their legal duties, resulting in harm to their client. However, the line between legal malpractice and outright fraud can sometimes blur. This analysis explores when legal malpractice crosses into fraud, particularly in situations where state or federal law is explicit, case law is well-settled, and the outcome of a legal matter is predictable. The discussion focuses on whether giving a client false hope and charging a legal fee under these circumstances constitutes fraud.