OPINION AND ORDER In September 2020, this personal injury action was settled, with Plaintiff Monet Punter Spencer (“Plaintiff”) recovering the sum of $1,250,000 from Defendants Charles S. Irving and Transport Company of America, Inc. (collectively, “Defendants”). Although Plaintiff has received the money to which she is entitled under the settlement, a dispute remains outstanding between Plaintiff’s present and former attorneys concerning the proper allocation between them of the contingent legal fee. Plaintiff’s original counsel, the law firm Schulman Blitz, LLP (“Schulman Blitz”), was replaced toward the end of discovery by the law firm Sobo & Sobo, LLP (“Sobo & Sobo”). Collectively, Plaintiff’s counsel is entitled to one-third of Plaintiff’s net recovery — $416,666.67 — as a contingent fee. Schulman Blitz asserts that it is entitled to 95 percent of that Contingent fee, to Sobo & Sobo’s 5 percent. Sobo & Sobo maintains that it should receive 60 percent, to Schulman Blitz’s 40 percent. On January 27, 2021, I held a remote hearing on the issue via Zoom. Having taken account of all relevant evidence, including the credibility of the witnesses who testified at the hearing, for the reasons set forth below, I now rule that Schulman Blitz shall receive 80 percent, and Sobo & Sobo 20 percent, of the contingent fee. BACKGROUND I. Procedural History As alleged in the Complaint, Plaintiff was injured on March 2, 2017 when a truck operated by Defendants struck her car on northbound Interstate 87 in the Village of Chestnut Ridge, New York. (See Compl., ECF No. 1-1,
33, 37, 40.) On March 22, 2017, Plaintiff retained Schulman Blitz to represent her in connection with injuries and other damages she sustained in the accident. (Affidavit of Frederick A. Schulman, sworn to October 19, 2020 (“Schulman Aff.”), ECF No. 77, 4.) In December 2017, Plaintiff, through Schulman Blitz, commenced this lawsuit by filing a Complaint against Defendants in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Bronx County, asserting claims of negligence; vicarious liability; and negligent hiring, training and retention. (See id. 38(m); Compl.
