Summary Judgment, Sanctions Upheld and Increased in Asbestos Fees Dispute

HOUSTON - A Texas appeals court has upheld summary judgment and awarded significant sanctions in a professional negligence case stemming from the failure to pay co-counsel's attorneys fees in the settlement of a 100- plaintiff asbestos case with defendant Fibreboard. Malone, et al. v. Abraham, Watkins, Nichols & Friend, et al., No. 01-99-01192 (Texas App. Ct., First Dist.).

In a decision published July 24, the First Division Texas Court of Appeals settled a longstanding and complex fee dispute that arose when the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols & Friend (AWNF) and another sole practitioner opted to withdraw as counsel …