“The bankruptcy trustee for former clients of Dallas’ Godwin Gruber has filed a professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duties suit against the firm and two former shareholders, alleging the defendants mishandled a patent infringement case.

The original petition names the firm — now known as Godwin Pappas Langley Ronquillo — and former shareholders Arthur Navarro, now of the Navarro Law Office in Irving, Texas, and Michael K. Hurst, now a partner in Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail in Dallas.

In the petition in Robert Yaquinto Jr., as the Trustee of the Bankruptcy Estate of Renato Specialty Products Inc. and as the Trustee of the Bankruptcy Estate of Renato S. Riccio v. Godwin Gruber LLP, Now Known as Godwin Pappas Langley Ronquillo LLP, et al., filed on Aug. 24 in state court in Dallas, the plaintiffs allege the defendants failed to present “competent” evidence against a motion for summary judgment filed by the opposing side in the underlying infringement suit, and failed to prosecute the suit `with the degree of skill, care and knowledge required of a reasonably prudent and competent attorney.'”

Entire details.