Case ID: so2d_706/html/0539-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      JiBYRNES, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Michael JOHNSON v. Blake ARATA, Jr. and Davis, Saunders, Arata & Rome, A Professional Law Corporation.
    No. 97-CA-2352.
    Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit.
    Jan. 7, 1998.
    Stephen P. Schott, Montgomery, Barnett, Brown, Read, Hammond & Mintz, L.L.P. New Orleans, for Defendants-Appellees.
    Robert H. Matthews, Bezou & Matthews, New Orleans, for Plaintiff-Appellant.
    Before BYRNES, LOBRANO and JONES, JJ.
   JiBYRNES, Judge.

Plaintiff filed suit for legal malpractice pri- or to the expiration of the three year per-emptive period provided by LSA-R.S. 9:5605(A).

The trial court dismissed plaintiffs suit after three years had elapsed. Plaintiff appealed the dismissal devolutively. Defendant moved to dismiss plaintiffs appeal, arguing that in the absence of a suspensive appeal, the dismissal takes effect and the plaintiffs claim is perempted. LSA-C.C. art. 3461.

The plaintiff exercised his right in a timely manner by filing suit. LSA-C.C. art. 3458. The plaintiffs action remains effective until either no timely appeal is taken or the Court of Appeal affirms the trial court’s decision and writs to the Supreme Court are denied or not applied for. Should either this Court or the Supreme Court reverse the trial court it is as though the case was never dismissed. The dismissal did not take effect.

For the foregoing reasons the defendant’s motion to dismiss is denied.

MOTION TO DISMISS APPEAL DENIED