Appellate lawyer and managing shareholder Chad Baruch secured a significant appellate victory last week when the Second Court of Appeals of Texas upheld a trial court decision in favor of his client, Jacqueline Chatto. The case involved claims of breach of fiduciary duty against Ms. Chatto’s former attorneys, who had attempted to coerce her into paying higher legal fees.
Ms. Chatto’s case centered on breaches of fiduciary duty when her former attorneys attempted to persuade and subsequently coerce her into paying over $70,000 in hourly legal fees—an amount that far exceeded the terms of her contract with them.
During the trial, the jury determined that both attorneys had violated their fee agreement and breached their fiduciary obligations to Ms. Chatto. The Texas Appeals Court upheld the original ruling, rejecting the attorneys’ appeals.
The case received media mention by Law360, which included comments from Mr. Baruch.
“The jury heard the evidence — including testimony from the client and both lawyers — and concluded the lawyers breached their fiduciary duties, and should forfeit their fee as a result,” he told Law360. “The decision by the court of appeals recognizes the wealth of evidence that supported the jury’s findings and verdict.”
Read the full story here: Attys Tried To Coerce Client For Larger Fee, Texas Court Rules