Court Opinion

ID: 7695706
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-30 18:46:13.603288+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:29:44.350370
License: Public Domain

Betty Joyce Sims's son was killed in an offshore explosion. The law firm of Briskman Binion had represented Sims for less than a month when she sent it a certified letter unequivocally stating that she was revoking her agreement for representation. Up to that point, Briskman Binion's work on behalf of Sims consisted of having her appointed administratrix of her son's estate.
Never speaking with Sims, but instead relying onhearsay from a friend of Sims, Briskman Binion continued for three months to act or to attempt to act on her behalf. After Sims sent Briskman Binion another letter, again saying that she was terminating the attorney-client relationship, Briskman Binion filed a motion in the probate court attempting to determine Sims's competence to serve as administratrix of her son's estate; i.e., Briskman Binion tried to have the person it "claims" was its client declared incompetent.
Through another law firm, Sims obtained a $500,000 settlement, of which the law firm received a 40% fee. From this 40% fee, the trial court awarded Briskman Binion over $83,000.
Assuming that Briskman Binion was entitled to a fee, I consider the amount awarded, given the circumstances of this case, to be excessive. Therefore, I must dissent.