The plaintiff lawyer and his professional corporation sued a former client for unpaid legal fees.
The client counterclaimed for solicitor's negligence, alleging the lawyer failed to collect settlement funds and mishandled an ex parte Mareva injunction, forcing an improvident settlement.
The court found the lawyer's services were necessary, beneficial, and in accordance with instructions, though it slightly reduced the accounts for excessive time.
The counterclaim was dismissed, as the court found no breach of the standard of care and concluded the client's settlement decision was based on damaging evidence from a co-party, not the lawyer's actions.
