Legal Fee Disputes

Many times, the Firm is called upon to represent clients in lawsuits with their former attorneys or other professionals concerning charges for services. The Maloney Firm possesses significant knowledge of the rules governing the relationships between attorneys and their clients and has substantial expertise in identifying improper billing practices. As a result, the Firm has been very successful in obtaining deep discounts for its clients in arbitration, at trial, and through settlement.
 

The Maloney Firm has represented both attorneys and clients in disputes over unpaid legal fees in amounts ranging from $50,000 on up to $2.25M. The Firm frequently helps clients:

  • Identify overbilling by legal counsel and staff for services
  • Resolve legal fee disputes with outside counsel
  • Evaluate staffing needs
  • Assess time spent on major items of work
  • Identify patterns that arise when overbilling has occurred

Over the years, Patrick Maloney has represented dozens of clients in disputes with their former lawyers over charges for legal services, saving them millions of dollars in legal fees. Although many of the cases the Firm handles focus on bill-padding, it also handles issues such as:

  • Billing fraud
  • Disagreements about the terms of the retention
  • Law firm record keeping practices

Representative Legal Fee Dispute Matters

Representation of a privately held business in a case against a national law firm, claiming entitlement to approximately $2,250,000 in unpaid legal fees. The matter settled at mediation, with the client enjoying a seven figure savings.
 

Representation of a prominent Southern California businessman against a national law firm, concluding with a confidential settlement that saved the client of over $600,000.
 

Representation of a small business against the now defunct firm Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP, obtaining a complete defense verdict in arbitration, saving the client over $100,000.
 

Defense of a California businessman in a binding arbitration against claims brought by a former attorney, resulting in a 50% reduction of the outstanding receivable.
 

Defense of client in fee dispute with divorce counsel. Obtained a 50% reduction of fees through settlement negotiated on the eve of arbitration.
 

Representation of client investigating the efficacy of third party administrator in controlling charges by outside panel counsel.
 

Representation of party in dispute to obtain a declaration of rights in connection with a contingency fee retainer agreement.
 

Numerous arbitrations conducted under the auspices of the California Mandatory Fee Arbitration Act.