Attorney Fees

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Merle L. Royce v. Michael R. Needle P.C., et al.

Case No.: 19-2241

Officials: WOOD, Chief Judge, and ROVNER and ST. EVE, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Attorney Fees

After Michael R. Needle P.C. (“Needle P.C.”) went months without counsel in a fee dispute action and was on the verge of a default judgment, three partners from the law firm Cozen O’Connor stepped in to represent Needle P.C. Their representation successfully staved off the pending default motion but was otherwise short-lived. Less than three months after appearing as counsel, Cozen O’Connor understandably withdrew due to irreconcilable differences and a total breakdown of the attorney–client relationship. Cozen O’Connor sought to be compensated for its work, though, under a quantum meruit theory and perfected an attorney’s lien. The district court then granted Cozen O’Connor’s petition to adjudicate and enforce the lien. Because Cozen O’Connor is entitled to recover in quantum meruit and the district court properly concluded that the petitioned fees were reasonable, we affirm.

Affirmed

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.