Suits for fees often precipitate a counterclaim or defense of legal malpractice, regardless of whether or not it is warranted. Indeed, that seems to have been the situation in the recent New Jersey case of Ragan & Ragan v. Winberry Realty Partnership. Yet, notwithstanding the risks, the New Jersey Appellate Division made clear that, in fact, attorneys can successfully sue for and recover outstanding attorney fees.

In Ragan & Ragan, the Appellate Division ruled that the plaintiff law firm properly commenced an action (as opposed to an arbitration) for unpaid legal bills against former client Winberry Realty Partnership and certain individuals (collectively, “Winberry”), and awarded summary judgment on its claim for legal fees and dismissed Winberry’s counterclaim of malpractice.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]