Opinion ID: 2147333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: present action for professional negligence

Text: Bellino was represented in the above-described proceedings by attorneys Wegner and Hargens of McGrath North. Bellino relied on the attorneys' advice when he formed Keno and submitted a bid for the keno contract with La Vista. These attorneys continued to represent him throughout the resulting litigation with Anderson, including at trial, during initial settlement discussions, and on appeal. The attorneys withdrew from representing Bellino on May 27, 2003. Bellino retained new counsel and ultimately settled his dispute with Anderson for $2,427,729.76. The settlement payment was made to acquire Anderson's share in Keno that Anderson had acquired through the constructive trust. Bellino and Keno (collectively Bellino) commenced this action for professional negligence against McGrath North, Wegner, and Hargens on December 3, 2003, in the district court for Douglas County. Bellino alleged that McGrath North committed legal malpractice because it failed to fully and fairly advise him that he could be liable for a breach of fiduciary duty by forming Keno and bidding for the La Vista keno contract while still associated with Anderson and Lottery. Bellino alleged that McGrath North failed to advise him that a court could impose a constructive trust in favor of Anderson and Lottery on Keno's profits from the La Vista keno contract. He requested judgment against McGrath North for all damages proximately caused by the attorneys' professional negligence. After a trial, the jury awarded Bellino $1.6 million in damages. McGrath North moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or, in the alternative, for a new trial. McGrath North asserted 12 grounds for judgment notwithstanding the verdict that the district court restated into four: (1) McGrath North's legal advice to Bellino did not constitute malpractice because the attorneys advised him on an unsettled point of Nebraska law, (2) McGrath North's legal advice was not the proximate cause of any damages, (3) Bellino's claim was barred by the statute of limitations, and (4) the jury verdict of $1.6 million in favor of Bellino was contrary to the law and evidence.