So often, the practice of law seems to have devolved into an attorney v. client battle over the work and fees.  Here in Morelli & Gold  LLP v. Altman, NY Slip Op 31492(U) we see a large scale battle over a child support/custody case in which there has been litigation, fees, fee dispute, trial de novo, counterclaims and appeals. All this, and the case has not yet left the pleadings stage.

In her 32 page decision, Justice Edmead goes through a complete primer on:

a.  Rule 137 fee disputes, trial de novo, the pleading requirements for a trial de novo, and the forms used;

b.  Defenses and counterclaims after a fee dispute;

c.  Proper pleadings in legal malpractice counterclaims;

d.  The role of res judicata and collateral estoppel in legal malpractice fee disputes.

It’s a long decision,,,look to the link and read through it for a good discussion on these issues.