Legal Fee Dispute - Breach of Fiduciary Duty - San Francisco, California.
November, 2001: Confidential Settlement: $450,000.00

This case arose out of the improper billing practices of a major San Francisco intellectual property law firm. There were no malpractice claims involved in the case. Rather, the case centered on major charges of fraud and misrepresentation arising out of the firms questionable billing practices. Among other things, the firm raised hourly rates without providing proper notice; added their own percentage increases to routine costs; did not pass on discounts to clients received from vendors; and charged non-pro-rated WESTLAW and LEXIS charges even though the firm was paying a flat fee for the entire firm. The firm defended on the basis that these were all proper and reasonable charges, known by the client and accepted in the community.