Judge Frank Nervo
Attorney Buni sued his former clients for unpaid invoices. Buni was retained to represent defendants in an already progressing litigation, but stopped working citing a $6,239 unpaid invoice. A trial de novo was commenced by Buni after an attorney fee dispute arbitration was held. Buni sought recovery of that unpaid invoice reduced by the $5,000 the award directed be returned by him of previously received fees. Defendants sought return of all amounts remitted to Buni. The court reviewed invoices Buni submitted to defendants, and found charges, including consultations with other attorneys on how best to proceed on defendants' behalf. It stated a client should not be charged for an attorney's need to consult others because of his own inability to determine how to best represent his client. The court also stated Buni could not bill defendants for his lack of legal knowledge and need to familiarize himself with principles of law and legal procedure. Thus, it found the value of Buni's professional efforts on defendants' behalf, in quantum meruit, was $750 for a compliance conference court appearance, dismissing the complaint. It granted defendants' counterclaim for return of previously paid fees of over $22,000 reduced by $750.
