The claim of a former client of Constantine Cannon that the law firm excessively billed for legal fees is moving forward.

The decision by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Carol Edmead (See Profile) came in what began as a lawsuit by Constantine Cannon to recover $359,000 in unpaid legal bills from the family of Howard L. Parnes, a White Plains real estate executive. The Parnes family struck back, contending the firm did not execute an engagement letter and overbilled the family.