The Brief Todd and Julie Chrisley have filed a $25 million lawsuit accusing a former defense attorney and his law firm of legal malpractice. The couple claims mistakes made during their federal fraud and tax evasion case led to their convictions and prison sentences. The attorney's former law firm says it will vigorously defend against the allegations.



Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality television stars behind  Chrisley Knows Best,  have filed a lawsuit accusing one of their former defense attorneys and his law firm of legal malpractice in the federal criminal case that led to their convictions and prison sentences, according to The Associated Press.

What we know:

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Atlanta, seeks more than $25 million in damages from the law firm Balch   Bingham and attorney Chris Anulewicz, who led the couple's defense during their federal fraud prosecution.

The Chrisleys contend that legal mistakes made during the case contributed to their convictions on bank fraud, tax evasion and related charges. They allege the actions of their former legal team caused them to spend time in prison, damaged their reputations and separated them from their family.

Claims against former attorney

What they're saying:

According to the lawsuit, the law firm portrayed itself as qualified to handle one of the country's highest-profile federal criminal cases but failed to provide competent representation.

The complaint alleges Anulewicz lacked significant criminal defense experience and that the firm either knew or should have known he was not qualified to lead the case. The Chrisleys further claim the firm pursued the representation because of the publicity associated with the family's celebrity status.

The lawsuit also accuses Anulewicz of encouraging the couple to invest $75,000 in a food truck startup operated by his brother-in-law while he was representing them.

Anulewicz is no longer employed by Balch   Bingham and now works for another law firm.

Focus on evidence challenge

Dig deeper:

A central claim in the lawsuit involves evidence gathered during the federal invest

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